Finally got around to doing these rally stages. It took me several hours to gold and get "perfect" on the final trial in the GTR. I think I just drive too fast and don't leave extra grip to change my line when the A.I. drivers go erratic. What pisses me off the most is when they brake check me or refuse to turn in. Over the course of 3 nights playing these levels I have had to essentially memorize their moves and tendencies....which are nothing like real racers.
How late can I brake without them cutting in on me?
Answer: very late, usually.
How early will they turn in if I'm coming from behind?
Answer: pretty much never, until they do and they smash into you.
How soon will they accelerate out of a turn, if at all when you are on their bumper?
Answer: never. They will slow to 20 mph out of a hairpin and never hit the gas. Don't try to pass them though, because the car behind you will take that line as soon as you attempt. You just have to wait, and wait, and wait.
It's even harder in the rain because they will slow down to pass each other and you're trying to avoid one cloud of mist when all of a sudden there's a car stopped on the track. I miss the A.I. drivers in the earlier games that just ran the racing line. At least then you knew when they would turn in and whether you had enough time to complete the pass without making contact. I just can't seem to make sense of these drivers. It's like they aren't out there to race and they are afraid of you.