@ Nunalho - Actually, I tried using the HD ships and it didn't make a difference...still had the same issue. It's a moot point though, as I tried playing online with Fury for the first time and the sound was back to normal again. So, once I finished online, I tried running speed laps again and the sound was back to normal there too. A very strange phenomenon indeed. I'm just glad it worked itself out. I hope the problem doesn't crop up again though...