Dude...
If you are even TOUCHING the brakes you will fail. There is not one point in the entire race where you will hit the brakes. Brakes have nothing to do with it. NOTHING.
At the beginning of the race, move to the right. You will pass one car, then you MUST draft the car in front of you, which will lead you to the "pack." Then DRAFT, DRAFT, DRAFT.
You may be able to tell from the description of the race that drafting is the most important thing in the race. It is. It is what this particular challenge is trying to teach you.
Do a search on this site, then look at a few Youtube vid's which people have done. The race is not easy, but it's not hard, either. Just takes time.

You will prevail!
But always search first!