I've been doing some Time Attack yesterday after finishing the game, and I noticed that the in-game timer for the full track doesn't actually start when the announcer says "Go!", but when the car actually crosses the Finish Line. That means I can go backwards as soon the race starts, take some space and do the first lap at the same speed as the other laps. This would allow for faster full times overall. I wanted to ask if this was a known thing or if there has been a silent agreement to not exploit this. It might be a little annoying to go backwards for getting enough speed to start the first lap, but imo it still allows for faster times. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Ahh, I really was hoping noone would notice this. As far as I'm concerned, I'm ok with everyone agreeing to not use this to any advantage. If the timer would start upon gaining control of the car, it'd even gave to start, once the loadscreen is over. You can very slightly change the angle of your car by braking and steering the opposite direction

Honestly it doesn't seem that limiting to gain speed for the first lap. What I do on the first course for example is to use the reverse gear to steer to the opposite way, then I launch myself off the track to be respawned, and that's more than enough to gain speed for the first lap. It could actually allow for even faster single laps on other courses if one takes enough room to gain speed. I'd vote for allowing it. I know that people already set times without it, but it's something that the game allows after all

I would have times to post where I used this "exploit", so before posting them I'd put this to vote anyway. It's better if we take a decision together :)

I don't really see an issue with either way necessarily, since with single lap it's pretty much like this already too, with the unlimited lap function in time trial, it's probably easiest & more consistent to allow the extra speed gain before the timer starts. Should prevent any confusion about this in future or anyone getting a bit frustrated after getting a time that took them a while then figuring out it doesn't qualify

Today I practiced a bit on Grand Keys Short and I noticed the start is actually very far off the starting position of the car. Basically you're already taking a little space to start the lap a bit faster there. I didn't check the other tracks yet, but this exception should be enough to allow times with flying first lap tbh