yeah i noticed this a lot, can be blastin 1st and suddenly your miles behind then next nim you get a bullet bill or whatever and summit else and your from 12th to1st in a matter of seconds.
Its not to bad online on a decent course like bowsers castle as its very windy and easy to get away.
But still good fun, its just kinda averaged it out some what being that anyone really can pop a good item and increase, takes a really good player to hold 1st.