Yes, yes it is. Run while you can. In fact, go explore the jungle on your own. THATS more fun even with the roaming emo kids. Ironically when you DO have a mission to race someone its a lot more fun then the current one to move the story forward.

I generally just restarted mid cutscene whenever I got to that point. I just went 'Fuck this noise' and reloaded the last check point. Aka why I went 'Yeah, not driving on a beer run, I'll stick to ambushing since I WIN at beating shit up.'

I wish I could use the Duce to do the circle of fire thing, I'd ACTUALLY be able to do that mission decently. The motorcycle can't take much damage at all and has no nitro boost so you're kind of in the middle of shit creek during this mission.