I hear ya. I've been toying with using only racial victory conditions lately. The one thing I'm not sure of is if there are any races with pretty mild racial victory conditions. I haven't checked for that myself. I did play the Quameno this way and was well on my way to a severe loss at third from the bottom. I was the most powerful empire in the galaxy, but had betrayed my 'peoples' ways and values in doing so. It was interesting. I was situated next to both the Gizureans and Boskarans. Wars were inevitable. In trying to counterbalance the Gizurean-Boskaran threat I started my own alliance with the Ackdarians and Shandars. So, I had wars going and treaties too, both of which are taboo as a Quameno.
Looking back, there could have been other choices to make than the ones I used. With a race as technologically savvy as the Quameno, commerce isn't as important, since a steady stream of sold technologies more than covers any cashflow shortfalls. Also, all that cash means lots of diplomatic options--even against the likes of the Boskarans. Certainly makes me want to have another go at it.
What a great game.
ORIGINAL: J HG T
Suggestion: Turn the territory victory conditon off in the next game. I personally never use this VC as it encourages colony rush and easily ruins interesting games. I find it Much more interestig when small but adavanced empires can be competitive with huge but relatively undeveloped empires.