Chorus

If you beat the kids, post a comment, I am curious how easy it is, I tried about 5 times with no luck as they always seemed to bump me out if the way if I took the lead.

I won a different race by like not even a second. In the straightaway, I picked a straight line. My opponent didn't. Also, to go fast, press like it's a button.

I did win the race against the kids. I had equipped 3 different speed items 1 for boost and 2 for basic flight speed. Don’t know if or how much they helped but I did win. Had to avoid getting knock around by the other ship in the first half of the race.

Beat the kids on my 2nd attempt after this brat bumped me off course. What I did was try to get a headstart (start on the ledge of the starting circle) and turned on the boost right at as the race begins (not LT, the left bumper) and never slowed down, the route is easy and "straight" (as in no sudden or sharp turn) enough that you can complete the race without exiting the boost. He never came close to me after I did that, no need for upgrades. To give you an idea of how early I got it, I also unlocked the achievement for completing 5 side quests.

For the race in the amarok system the location is called corrupted ship for anyone confused

Against the kids you can edge up to the front of the starting circle. Hit boost (travel speed) immediately and leave it on. I always got hit once but it seems to slow him down too, so if you can correct and aim at the next gate you can actually get in front. You only have to put up with this once as once you’re ahead he can’t bump you again. During the mission (before you win or lose) you can always restart checkpoint and get another chance without waiting. I never used Drift, there is only one tight corner in the race and it’s pretty easy to manage even with travel speed on.