You should be able to set the distance even with a checkpoint system, if that's what would hold it back otherwise. For example if you put a checkpoint at 200 metres, then you can start the distance tracker at 200 instead of 0.
I think the controls are plenty smooth as they are, actually! It's a difficult course to ride but I never felt like it was unfair or that the controls were the problem, I always felt it was a skill issue on my part when I had a crash. :)
you make a good point ill test that out it could be a lot more forgiving, I guess I could always have a ‘hardcore’ mode where it just takes away the checkpoints. Good advice!. I think in terms of level design I might try take away some of the hard hitting bumps that tend to throw the player into a spin. A lot of the mechanics, suspension and even the rider are left up to chance by the physics system, there’s no actual animation in the game it’s all done using rigidbodies and hinge/spring/wheel joints.
