Game Freezes same spot everytime PS3

Rivals freezes in  about the same place everytime -- right after choosing cop/racer tutorial.  For a few days after Christmas, we were able to get through the tutorial and play the game.  Then the 1.02 update hit and it's been no joy ever since.  We deleted all game data from the PS3 and reinstalled the game several times with several different combinations-- both with and without internet on, and both with and without the 1.02 update being allowed through.  What's the deal?

So here's is what we did in order to get the game working again:

• Went to Internet Settings on PS3 and cleared cookies, cache, and authentication info.
• Turned off Internet connection to PS3 (we are on wifi).
• Turned off Media Server connection on PS3.
• Deleted all NSF Rivals game data and profile info (i.e., doing a clean reinstall).
• Restart PS3 console and install NSF game disk.
• Watched intro video and played each tutorial (cop & racer).
• Quit game (hopefully, saving the tutorial progress we made).
• Turned Internet connection to PS3 back on (but left media server disabled).
• Started NSF and it asked for Update 1.02 to be installed and we clicked "cancel" so it would not install.
• Game restarted and allowed us to go straight to online play (did not have to re-do tutorial).
• From now on, when we play, we are going to "cancel" 1.02 update each time until newer update is available.

Good luck.