I'll have to disagree here chaps. I think it's pretty good, before you start a race go to the driver options and turn everything off. For some event's the traction control does make the races easier (TVR Cup at donnington for example) and for other event's you really need it off (drift freestyle in the AE86 for example)

I've not really played the "story mode" just online and mostly the arcade style races, the drifting is quite fun as are the BMW touring cars without traction control.

I like the way it says your name when you turn it on. "Hello Gary, your cars are waiting for you"