Sharky,
Do not give up, if you can seach for Alison Hines site, good all round set ups (Sorry she has changed servers and I have lost the address) or go to gplea.com site, they have some set ups. Other sites try "Back Stretch" or "The Grid" both have forums that can help.
If you can find Alison Hines site (Eagle Woman) load the chassis set ups, add the hot lap guys g'box and you should get front row. Go back to Alisons G'box for the race or you will blow the engine. All you have to do then is keep the pack behind you
Simon
PS If you find Alisons site let me know as I need some updates. If you cannot find them I have old downloads you can have.
Simon