Everyone needs a little help to start off with. So here it is.
Don't jam on the accelerator and then forget about it. Sharp cornering is made much easier if you ease off the throttle for a second or two and slide smoothly around the bend.
Keep centred on the road and don't drag your car against the walls. Some people actually do this and then wonder why the vehicle is going so slowly. Also pay attention that you head in a straight line, instead of meandering down the track.
When in a slow, reliable vehicle with good grip, turbo constantly. As soon as the sucker's charged, fire it, as it's the only hope you've got of keeping up with the speed demons. You must take advantage of your good grip or you'll fail miserably.
When in a fast, skidzy car, save the turbo for straights and clear patches. Firing 'er up just before a corner will propel you at stupid speed into a wall, and you'll either get stuck or end up spinning like a top.
Those who favour large, heavy vehicles should pass over bumps without thinking about it. Those in lighter vehicles should try to avoid the uneven patches for risk of being thrown up in the air.
When practising a track, practise in pursue mode instead of single race. Watching your car explode in front of you is a great incentive to do better next time, and you learn the track better. It's also more fun.
Don't get annoyed. Keep trying. Remember that the game is supposed to be fun. Even when you fail for the eighth time to crack Yodel Peaks in Mirror Mode, try another car and have another go. It's a game, not a fight for your life. Beating your computer won't help (trust me, I know). So sit back, race like a maniac, and enjoy the views. It's worth perservering to get hold of Ignition: the ultimate racer.
Final tip: beware, all those who hit the turbo with Ignition for he's a mad, mad beast. Take special care to mind your head room on that long, running bridge on Snake Island. The engineers never took into account the car that can do over 400 km/h.