I've no idea about the default view as I NEVER play in external view.

Perfect lap? Once you can manage the game without hitting the wall you'll know it, and the LAST thing you'll want popping up on your screen is a perfect lap indicator!! I find I need all my concentration on this one, perhaps I lose focus a little too easily or something.

I've never lost a neGcon setting in WipEout, it only happens to me in XL and 3. So perhaps it's your neggie??

Ohhhh, that turbo start...I have even my blinks timed in this wretched game, stare closely at thrust bar, if I get the turbo start, then there is about a half second pause between the point where the thrust bar blasts up to full and the point where your craft actually moves. (So blink there and if you're lucky you'll snatch 2 quick blinks before negotiating the first turbo of the race. )

I think the precise point where the thrust must be in order to get the turbo start will be forever unknown BECAUSE:
I have found that I get a turbo whenever the thrust happens to be in the second half of the third box from right AT THE POINT THE ANNOUNCER SAYS "GO".
What I am guessing is that the game decides very shortly AFTER the "go", whether you will get the turbo or not. Many times I have had the thrust perfectly aligned in the third bar with about a hair's breadth between the thrust and the line, at the exact time which the "GO" sounds, and guess what, no turbo. I think what happens is the thrust goes into the second bar before the game cuts in to make its "turbo or bust" decision.
And yes the thrust button definitely has to be pressed down to get it, no trying to ease off to get the thrust in the right section.

Anyways that's what I have found, I'd love to hear one of the programmers' explanations on this cruel trick!