i'm gonna have to agree with jumping straight to elite AI.

but that's how i treat every game.

i did start with pilot assist and novice AI for the first few races, only to get aquainted with
the controls and how things "work." i disabled pilot assist first, staying with novice. after
the first (extremely easy) gold win, i moved up to normal - getting a gold on first try, then
elite and have just stayed on elite since.

unlike other racers, it's extremely unforgiving, so starting off at the "hardest" and working
to beat it will make you better in the long run.

even moving from 8th to 3rd is a huge step in elite.
at least, it was for me.