Slower is faster.
Speed comes from good practice.
When your racing, concentrate on someone who is close to your speed. Race them, not the TQ. This keeps it fun and you always have a chance to win. When you have that person covered, move on to someone else.
Most important...
Don't get caught up in the "game". Run your own race. If your painfully honest with yourself, you'll know when your equiptment is holding you back.
Ben