Until the events actually count towards anything I know that I really care too much about resets / leaderboard wipes so long as it means the actual proper Academy phase is better setup and policed than the fiasco in the early rounds last time.
Sadly though about the only way I think they could probably guarantee no corner cutting is to line the entire track with cones, not just a few cones on the apex of corners and a the odd other spot but actually mark out the whole thing with cones so there just isn't any way to cut corners or run on inappropriate areas.
People will always try and bend the rules where ever possible especially when it comes to the unwritten ones, only way to make it fair is to treat everyone like children and put in as many restrictions as are necessary. Even if that means going to what "normal folk" regard as the ridiculous extremes, like forcing everyone to drive in a cone channel.