Recent psychological advances give us new insight into the mindset of the extreme driver. In particular the relationships between risk, anxiety and performance are revealing, and help us to understand why many drivers enjoy pushing their limits.

Both professional racing and illegal street racing involve substantial risks. Common injuries following an accident include bruising, neck sprains and concussion. Fatalities in racing are less common, though they do happen, and there are a number of well-publicised examples including the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger in 1994 at Imola.

Excessive anxiety is detrimental to performance, as drivers become distractible and coordination is impaired. In extreme cases drivers can literally become gripped with fear and unable to move. However, low cognitive arousal reduces reaction times and leaves the driver feeling sleepy or drowsy.

The awareness of risk and a moderate degree of anxiety therefore helps drivers to feel energised or sharp and push themselves that little bit harder. But how are they able to manage their fears at speeds that other people would find terrifying? The secret appears to lie in their confidence in their own abilities, and their beliefs about the car they drive and their support team. By gaining positive experiences they gain a sense of mastery, and the next time they can relax slightly and go even faster.