Problems with Wipeout 3 Special Edition

Hi All

I used to run epsxe on my old computer with no problems.
For a long time, I have not played with epsxe, and only recently started playing with it again.
I now have a new computer.
Here are the specs:
ASUS p5N-E SLI MotherBoard
Intel Core2 Duo CPU
ASUS ENGTX260 graphics adapter (essentially an NVidia GTX260)
Creative X-Fi platinum
Samsung SH-W162C CD/DVD re-writer

The problem I'm having is with both ePSXe 1.7 and 1.6.0

BIOS: PAL Bios

Plugins:
Video - Petes OpenGL Driver (versions 1.75, 2.6 and 2.9)
Sound - Eternal SPU 1.50
SaPu's CD-ROM Plugin 1.3

The Problem:
I'm trying to sun Wipeout3 Special Edition, PAL version/
Everything works fine except for two tracks.
In the Classic League, the last track and in the Wipeout3 league, the second to last track.
Both these tracks have slow right down to slide show speed near the start line. I think that it has something to do with the vast expanse of clear 'sky' in those sections.
As soon as the track goes into a tunnel, the game speeds up.

I have tried a lot of things, from playing the the settings in Pete's plugin to trying different plugins (in version 1.6.0) The result is always the same.
Either no change in the behaviour, or (in the case of using a different video plugin) ePSXe will crash.

I have tried both running from an ISO, and running from the original CD.

I am now at my wits end.

If anyone has any ideas, please help.

Many thanks

Daz )