Are you always annoyed when you can't catch the bad guy? Well, I have some good advice to put your targets behind bars. These are usually only needed once you reach the Coupe Class.
Tip #1: It is almost impossible to score a takedown on your target, so you must get your boost from the rivals in this event, if any. Remember, you start out with about 20% boost, and with 80% more, you'll make catching up to your bad guy no problem at all. Besides, taking out your target automatically ends the chase, so you'll receive no boost from taking him down, but the game makes up for that by rewarding you with new events and cars.
Tip #2: If you want to score a takedown against your target, you must ram them into a wall with full force, like you're pushing them without taking away the force you're applying. It works even better when you ram him into a wall that usually takes out drivers, which are usually found before one or two hairpin turns. This can sometimes end the chase without even sweating it.
Tip #3: If tip #2 doesn't work, this can. Make sure you're in front of your target and crash. Steer your crash right into him to automatically end the chase, no matter how much health he has.
Tip #4: When catching up to your target, use as much boost as possible and don't crash. It will help when your target is far away and works better the higher the class you're preforming the chase in (with the exception of Muscle cars).
Tip #5: If you're in a busy street with numerous commonly crashed into hazards, it's best to get out of there before you chase the bad guy, but you can try to use tip #2 to your advantage to try and run him into a hazard (i.e The pillars found downtown, which is required to get the "Pillar Driller" Signature Takedown, but it doesn't work in Pursuit Mode).