I haven't played the game in a while but I did wonder about patterns in the interactive layouts. Fantastic findings!

From what I've seen the appropriate thread for this would be https://www.speedrun.com/The_Site/thread/dueac

idk if I wanna apply, especially since I still don't have a run to submit and I don't know when I'd get around doing one. Maybe Symm is a bit futher ahead on that one

Very possible there were two runs, it's been a while since I checked here but Caveman definitely was the only mod and yeah, his acc is gone

At some point (when I get a second PS2 lol) I wanted to run this, too Don't think one has to run or have a run already to be a mod, right? Else you (or we both to have someone to check the run of the other) can take over mod duties here I think

I remember this game being moderated by CavemanDCJ, same with Stretch Panic. While his runs here are gone there's still one of him there, but his profile isn't linked so I assume it's been deleted? Also, hard to run this if there are no mods so someone should take over that role, even if temporarily I think

Dang .. yeah, back to Rachel it is then. I wouldn't mind a NG+ category though, especially as it could help clarify the usage of Test Driver to any potential new runner(s) and the respective runs can be moved to the correct categories (if this is possible on this page, idk tbh)

Even if I'm still off the pace by over a minute on Any% with Test Driver, the only "true" Any% run I did was the PS1 run I've submitted. Wouldn't even hurt that much because as you rightly mentioned, there's still a lot of time to gain for me anyway.

tbh I just went for the Test Driver to compensate some time lost due to bad driving lol If I could get the opportunity to pump some time into this game again I'd try it with him again though, at least as long as he isn't pushed into his own category. Using him is kinda like NG+ since you unlock him after mirrored mode iirc

To be fair I've been surprised that both versions match that well but I'm glad there's no big version difference or advantage in that regard

You don't even need a save game for Challenge I as (at least for PAL, don't know about NTSC) you can always go back to Challenge I through the password menu (if this is allowed but I wouldn't really know why it shouldn't be) You can always start the game anew, play through the first 6 tracks and note the password after unlocking Challenge I. Sure, having a dedicated save file is easier and faster to work with but it's an alternative and a point for keeping it as a category