How do you beat this guy? He is always ahead of me even when I get the power rings. Does a real shortcut exist? Thanks.

Ooo, hard level. I just completed it yesterday after 3 weeks of trying. Keep up with the power rings, and if you're feeling lucky go through the wooden pillars instead of going round corners. That is a bit of a gamble though. After the corners look to your left to find a red pipe. Drive through that and use the ring. You should overtake Jimmy's boat at that point.

It is a really hard level, but if you keep trying you will get it.

Also, I find if you don't push forward on the left stick, just tap it to get Vince to turn corners, that works better.