I know there is a similar discussion already ongoing, but as the title indicates my point is that the rivals are not just "more difficult" but "way too" difficult.

The game introduced some some great new features and effects with the recent update, which really add greatly to the dynamics and immersion of the game. But the ultra-hardcore rival AI adds a thick layer of frustration on top of that.

After having given up on re-trying the campaigns even on the "light" (!) class, which already needs a combination of flawless perfect high-speed racing (a bump into any obstacle or another car WILL cost you the race after stage 3 onward, not even talking about crashes) and sheer luck, I just tried the cannonball mode.

This is a joke in itself. Whilst it's easier not to bump into anything because of the missing civil traffic, there's also no civil traffic to slipstream yourself through the race. So after maybe making your stand against the first 2-3 rivals, you likely won't see the next rival ever again, as he (or she) fades away with increasing distance no matter how hard you push the pedal to the metal, rocketing yourself through the course.

All in all the update doesn't even feel close to challenging like a Dead Souls™ of racing games (why would it want to be that?), it just feels massively unbalanced and unfair. And we're still talking about the "light" class.

PLEASE change this and give us our beloved and enthralling fun game back. The hardcore AI and obligation to maxx out tactical elements like slipstreaming and rewinding are welcome to stay in the heavy class (or something beyond). The AI per se is a great idea, as sometimes it can be observed to even making mistakes like crashing, which makes it feel more realistic. Taming it down for the lower classes is key.

A suggestion could be to challenge casual players or beginners in the light class, make medium class raise the adrenaline and focus to the race and have heavy introduce the requirement to make skilled use of the tactical element of slipstreaming (and maybe even rewind).