You'll be glad to know that the R180 races consist of courses that are FILLED to the brim with obstacles. Boxes that are jump-boxes, placed at a faraway position (taking it means you'll be taking a longer route). Heck, a few are so devilishly placed: One is placed right before a Malboro, another jump-box placed right above a boost pad (which means if you jump to take the box, you would have jump and missed boost). Unfortunately you won't be seeing these until your Chocobo's Pedigree is 7 and above.

I can't imagine how the higher races are like. There's a lot more skill involved now (R180+), it's exciting.