The only problem with the Auricom Prototype is that it is slow. If you fall behind, you won't likely catch up to the other ships, and those ships you can catch will have just respawned (meaning full energy). I would almost say to avoid the Auricom due to speed. I personally had problems with this race too, but I eventually beat it with the Qirex Fighter.

The trick is to make good use of the narrow straights and plasma bolts. I also clogged the choke points where the track sections reconnect after a split with bombs. Past that it is a lot of luck with pickups.