Most of the time (Unless I'm feeling villanous) I'll only drop mines and bombs in self-defence - that is, if I'm being shot at. Then I see how much my opponent uses them and follow suit, seems to work out more often than not.

I know that high-thrust ships can be and are used in the way Frailavi describes, but not all of us are like that. I go for the first pad mostly so that it isn't used against me, but of course the early turbo is always welcome!

Having said that, my favourite way to race is still 6-laps/weapons off.