I still remember the first time I jumped into Bingo Plus mode thinking it would be a quick, casual experience. Boy, was I wrong! Despite being marketed as a bite-sized racing mode, it demands the same level of commitment as the full career mode. You still go through that full practice session before qualifying and the five-lap race, which honestly feels both exhausting and rewarding at the same time. Let me walk you through what I've learned after spending countless hours—and yes, I mean countless—trying to master this mode and squeeze every last reward out of it.

One thing that caught me off guard early on was how the R&D upgrades work exactly like they do in the regular career mode. At first, I thought, "Great, this should be straightforward!" But then reality hit: you really need to complete every single practice objective if you want to maximize those upgrade points. I can't stress this enough—skipping even one objective can set you back significantly. For example, in one session, I ignored a tire management objective because I was rushing, and it cost me three whole upgrade points. That might not sound like much, but in a mode where every advantage counts, it felt like a massive setback.

Now, here's where things get tricky—and frankly, a bit frustrating. Upgrades don't always work as planned. I've had moments where I poured all my upgrade points into engine improvements, only for the upgrade to fail completely. It's like rolling dice, and when it doesn't pay off, you're suddenly racing against players who've had successful upgrades. I remember one race where my opponent's car was noticeably faster off the line because their aerodynamics upgrade had succeeded, while mine had flopped. It was demoralizing, to say the least. But here's the silver lining: you can replay episodes as many times as you want. I've replayed certain episodes five, six, even ten times just to bypass those random failures and aim for a higher score. It's time-consuming, no doubt, but if you're as stubborn as I am, it becomes almost addictive.

That said, let's talk about the rewards, because this is where Bingo Plus really tests your patience. After all that grinding, what do you get? A measly selection of car liveries, helmet designs, and gloves that, honestly, look like they were designed in a hurry. I'm not exaggerating when I say that about 70% of the rewards I've unlocked are downright ugly. There was this one livery I unlocked after replaying an episode three times—it was a garish mix of neon green and purple that made my car look like it belonged in a circus. I almost didn't want to use it, but hey, I'd earned it! It's moments like these that make me question whether the time investment is worth it. If you're someone who values cosmetics, you might find this disappointing, but if you're in it for the challenge like I am, then pushing through still feels satisfying.

So, how do you make the most of Bingo Plus? From my experience, it boils down to strategy and persistence. First, never skip practice objectives—each one gives you roughly 2-3 upgrade points, and those add up quickly. Second, embrace the replayability. I know it sounds tedious, but think of it as a way to refine your skills. On average, I replay each episode at least twice to mitigate upgrade failures and improve my lap times. And finally, manage your expectations with the rewards. Don't expect flashy, exclusive items; instead, focus on the personal achievement of mastering each episode. I've found that approaching it with this mindset makes the experience far more enjoyable.

At the end of the day, Bingo Plus is a mode that rewards dedication more than luck. Sure, there's an element of randomness with the upgrades, but your persistence can tip the scales in your favor. I've gone from struggling to complete episodes to consistently ranking in the top three, and that progression feels incredibly rewarding—even if the cosmetic rewards leave something to be desired. So, if you're diving into Bingo Plus, remember: it's not just about winning races; it's about outlasting the challenges and coming out smarter on the other side.