Beginner Tips?

[Doctor Gitgud]

I am getting filtered by the very first level in single-player, the timed run with the rings. Even on a good run, no deaths, hitting most of the rings and most of the speedups, I barely get to the third lap. Is there some trick I'm missing or does this game expect a perfectly optimized run even on the first level? I gained a few seconds from discovering that you can boost off the starting line, but not sure if there are any other "go faster" tricks.

[meteoritx]

You should try to hit all the rings (and of course go as fast as possible). Then you should be able to complete the run. I also struggled with this challenge a few times at the beginning.

Apart from the little boost bonus at start, I assume you are drifting as much as possible to power up the ‘surge’ faster? And don't forget to use it as often as possible?

[Doctor Gitgud]

I didn't realize drifting powered up the surge, so that's where I was losing time. I had only been drifting when really needed. I just went back with that new info and cleared it second try with several seconds to spare.