Struggling to get those coveted race wins? Make top step on the grand prix podium your own with these hints and tips for getting round the tracks of Avatar Grand Prix that little bit quicker...

If you really want to confine those CPU cars to your rear-view mirror, learn how to drift. Cars travel slightly quicker while drifting, and, if the drift is long enough, get a handy speed boost when they've done. Hold the accelerator, get up to speed, turn into a corner and then hold the brake to start a drift. You can then control the angle of the drift by adjusting the left stick. Release the brake to end the drift, and get a speed boost if it was long enough. Of course that's not to say that you should be drifting round every single corner you come across. The bends on "Sandy Straights" for example are very long, and often on this track repeatedly trying to do a number of small drifts will only slow you down.

It may sound obvious, but the inside of the track is the shortest way around, and it's here you'll find you have more chance of passing CPU cars, who generally stick nearer to the middle of the track. Your speed won't be affected by taking a tighter line, in fact tighter turning through drifting could even make you get round quicker.

Obviously. A concise guide is:

• Mines/Question marks - deposit these in the centre of the track (where most CPU cars drive). Don't drop mines or question marks when you're completely off the racing line as chances are if anyone hits them it'll be you a lap or two later!
• Rockets - these are much easier to aim on a straight, so wait until you've got a car in sight directly in front of you. CPU cars don't make any effort to get out of the way of rockets, so again down the middle will usually hit the target.
• Lightning - opposition cars have to be fairly close for lightning to affect them. A quick rear-view mirror to see if someone is directly behind you often helps here.
• Shields - more often than not, arm yourself with a shield as soon as you get it. The only reason you may not want to is if you know there are a few mines or question marks placed together on a certain area of the track.
• Speed Boost - best used on a straight. Speed boosting on a bend will often mean you can't turn tight enough to get round the bend the most efficient way.

In that order! 50cc is a great way of getting used to the tracks and getting used to drifting, as you have those crucial few extra milliseconds to react to what is happening. Don't be tempted to go for 150cc just because you find 50cc is laboriously easy - go for 100cc first. There is a considerable difference between the speed classes.