Thanks for explaining. Although, to clarify on a few things:
Apologies in advance, but I don't think I follow completely on the one button theme, only 'cause the strategy menu is the only place where auto cycling happens. You're saying that to follow the theme any menu you have to go through after setting the rounds needs to auto cycle, right? But wouldn't that mean auto cycling should be happening in places like the pause menu and possibly the victory screen (after all rounds are completed)? If so, this game currently doesn't do that unless you have the auto cycle option enabled.
The counterpoint I'd make to your Quick Race explanation would be that the mode could just have random weather as the mandatory feature instead of always clear, as this way you still wouldn't need an extra menu for weather.
That aside, I think your new project sounds very interesting. Definitely look forward to that email.