When you're out on the track snaking around corners at breakneck speeds in a multi-million-dollar supercar, Real Racing 3 is a thrill.

But it's not quite as much fun when you're stuck in the pit lane, waiting for someone to change your oil.

For some, managing this freemium game's litany of timers and pay-outs will be a tougher task than outrunning a Bugatti Veyron.

So, we've put together a guide to help you get the most from the time you put into the game. To wit, you'll find out everything you need to know about avoiding those pesky timers, and - hopefully - benefit from some truly golden hints and tips.

Drive better



It sounds simple, sure, but "drive better" really is the best piece of advice I can give. If you want to squeeze every last drop of play out of Real Racing 3, then you need to learn the rules of the Firemonkeys road... and fast.

If you're a racing veteran, then switch off all assists so you can exert maximum control over your car. However, if you're new to the series - maybe you're trying it for the first time due to it being F2P? - then keep them on.

Every knock and scrape against cars and trackside furniture; every time you veer off the course; every fleck of burnt rubber: all of this is taken into account by the Real Racing 3 game engine. And all of those errors and misjudgements will wear your vehicle down. Trust me.

Right from the off, overtake as many opponents as possible, and don't get caught in a pile-up at the first slow corner. If you're a few feet from the bumper of the person in front, keep a watchful eye on your rival's brake lights to avoid shunting into your competitor's motor.

Whatever you do, don't drive like you would in a Destruction Derby-esque smash-a-thon. It might help you improve your position, but you'll very quickly need to head to the repair shop as a result.

Now, all of this being said, if you know it's going to be your last race for a while, and it's absolutely crucial to your victory, a cheeky nudge of an opponent might just give you the winning edge.

Drive smarter



As discussed on last week's podcast, there's a meta-game to be played here. There are things you should be keeping track of and considering when you race and upgrade to ensure you get the most play time from your Real Racing 3 experience.

Your choice of starting car doesn't make much difference to your progress, so it's just a matter of personal preference. So, whether you choose the Ford Focus or not, you need to put any lingering or longing thoughts about those supercars in the Store to the back of your mind, and concentrate instead on upgrading the one you have.

Win a race or two, and you'll have enough for a couple of improvements, so splash the cash on what you think fits your play style best. I found that a balance of upgrades to raw speed and control worked best, so if you're going to get the engine improvement, put some money down for a new set of tyres, too.

The reasoning is simple: you won't earn enough money in your starting car to advance significantly without making any upgrades to it. And the only vehicles you'll be in a position to buy (without making any upgrades) will be eligible for the exact same set of races you already have access to - yet they won't be as fast as the car you already own. To put it bluntly: you're throwing money down the toilet by ignoring this advice.

The moment - and I do mean the VERY moment - that you can purchase a new vehicle from a different set of races, though, you should buy it. By having two cars in your garage, you can play the game for twice as long as you would with just one motor in your 'fleet', and you can potentially accrue twice as much money per play session.

If you don't mind dropping dollar, there are two very cheap Packs you can purchase for a total of £4.50. These packs are called Street Spec Booster and Supercar Booster. By purchasing these packs, you will gain another two cars, thus further extending the period of time you can race before your having to quit out to wait for repairs.

Drive dirtier



Then, of course, there are the couple of underhanded tricks you can employ. They're really just game exploits, but they do run counter somewhat to the phrase 'being a good sport'. Ah, well.

If you fancy a really easy time, block your device's access to the internet (by turning off the cellular data and wi-fi connectivity in your device's settings). Yes, that Time Shifted Multiplayer (TSM) component is neat, but it does mean the difficulty is amped up. This is because you'll be competing against your friends' times; not the AI's. And, yep, the AI is rubbish.

When I was racing against pals in TSM mode, I'd usually finish around the middle of the pack. When racing against just bots, though, I'd be continually getting onto the podium without breaking a sweat.

By actively steering clear of TSM-based contests, you won't get the R$ bonuses for each friend beaten. But if you're trying to see all of the game and need a top-three finish to unlock the next set of challenges, then this naughty 'cheat' works wonders.

Finally, if you're spending some time grinding for R$, then pick races with few or zero competitors. Oh, and ones you can win easily. It's not exactly sporting to pick the same race and win it over and over again, but it's a very easy way of lining your coffers. And if there aren't any other competitors on the track, you stand little chance of taking damage.

Got any more tips to share? Let us and the rest of the PG community know by leaving them in the comments section below.