At turns 1, 2, 4, and 5, you can use a mushroom to zip over the grass.
At the final turn, you can release a mini turbo or super mini turbo by the tires to skip the turn. This is also possible with a mushroom.
Strategies
Because of the amount of mushroom shortcuts, Mario Circuit is a really good bagging track. However, this track is also good if you're starting around 3rd-6th to take the lead.
Power items can be used to take shortcuts on most of the track. However, the best times to use them are for the turns before the non-pit stop sets.
Bob-ombs are very useful when placed on the anti-gravity turn or the tire skip.
