The NES has a framerate of 60.0988 and switch is just 60 so the NES is faster.
Keep in mind that the mods' lives are probably busy and they don't have as much time to verify runs as they did before.
There aren't certain settings you need for nestopia that are required for smb1 that I can think of, but I do recommend turning off vsync so your fps doesn't lock at 60 instead of ~60.1, so you don't lose time.
Do a perfect fast accel in the beginning in 8-1 (inputs are L+B, B, R+A,) then play the level normally and do an fpg setup(there are lots of them so search up "pl8-1 setup" on youtube.) Then jump off the last stair, holding a for 3 frames(I think,) then do d70 pole inputs.
I'm pretty sure it's fine since it doesn't affect the gameplay itself.
I recently got a new PB in any% (5:01.17 --> 4:59.65). Would this change the group I would be in and if so, would I be able to change it?
This tournament seems like a really good idea and I can handle time zones pretty well. Any% would seem better since the tournament is going to be short and I'd like to compete! (as an amateur) (also everdrives are expensive so yeah)
basically like excitebike?