Gems
Complete the achievements to earn gems. For achievements that require collisions into seagulls and palm trees, work on building those totals on races that you know you will not finish well. Gems are also awarded for completing levels that also unlock characters.
Power-ups
When first starting, you can access the following power-ups.
Fireworks: Launch directly ahead to damage opponents.
Tiki Seekers: Similar to Fireworks, but they can lock on and home in on targets.
Oil Slicks: Pool of oil forms behind you to spin out opponents.
Low Gravity: Causes cars in front of you to bounce around.
Death Bats: Screeching fireballs that target the first place buggy and hit anything else in the way.
Spiked Tires: Increases your off-road driving temporarily.
Boosts: Speed boost.
Basic Shields: Temporarily protects you against projectiles.
Expend power-ups that you will not be using in order to make space for the reward given for hitting the next question mark. For example, use Oil Slicks when in last place, or Fireworks while in front to clear them out.
Save Basic Shields for the end of a race. They are a very useful counter for when AI drivers try to hit you with power-ups just as you close in on the finish line.
Special abilities
Every driver has a unique ability that can be activated once per race. For example, Rez the starting driver, has the ability to boost leaving a trail of fire behind him that will slow down anyone in the way.
Tickets
A ticket is expended whenever you start a level. You can only hold a maximum of five tickets. To get a ticket back, earn a three star rank in a level. This requires finishing in first place on the race levels and besting the top time in time attack levels.
Unlimited tickets
Tickets regenerate over time after they are all consumed. To restore them instantly, advance the time on your device. Afterwards, set the time back to its correct value.
Upgrades
Upgrade your first car, the Beach Buggy, instead of spending your money on an entirely new vehicle. It has well balanced stats that can be upgraded well. When deciding on a specific vehicle upgrade, always consider Top Speed as your first choice.