I think the main reason why it took 14 years before the first speedrun for this game was submitted, was because the game rules at the time of submission left a whole lot of ambiguity. In particular:

• Was it allowed to replay stages that had already been completed at Bronze level or higher, whether to get a better time or for money grinding? • Did Class C speedruns have to be done on a new save? Likewise, would Class B/A/S runs have to be done on save files that had not been touched since the previous class had been completed? • Were there any limits on e.g. active steering? • Class S isn't even mentioned on the category page.

In my run that I submit today, I applied the following self-challenges: • Counted missions: First time per challenge to be completed at Bronze level or higher. No second takes once a Bronze time was set, no grinding. • Save: New save. • Measurement units: Metric. • System: PS3 Super Slim, 480 GB SSD. • Game version: Spec III Europe. • Track shortcuts used: Yes. • Active steering: Mild. • Traction control: 7

Using the conditions outlined above, a major timesaver would be to buy the Nissan GT-R with 3 Sunday Cup races remaining instead of 2. This would've saved around 20sec.

C-1: 2'52.880 C-2: 3'38.972 C-3: 1'41.293 C-4: 3'20.905 C-5: 3'16.010 C-6: 5'21.773 C-7: 2'31.833 C-8: 1'11.398 C-9: 2'53.664 C-10: 3'33.822

25min + 316sec (5min16sec) + 5,758sec = 30m21.758sec