The AP is part of the game, knowing how to use it is a skill.
If you use it, you know it can skip some speed boosts, you won't be able to collect a weapon item, you won't be able to recharge your shields.
It's very tactical, in no way it's a cheat.
"if that ap I just used took me through that chenghou turn and won me the race?"
=> I can say that for EVERY item, everyone won races with a final turbo / mines / missile etc...