Some driving hints, most of which run through my mind when racing in MTA Race:
-Drive inside to outside, cutting the corner as close as you can without crashing and ending up as close to the outside wall as you can while accelerating.
-I don't know why but I normally have music playing in Winamp, which sometimes helps me to drive.
-Get to know where your driving on the map, keeping glances at the map every know and then.
-Know what the car your driving handles like. (how heavy it is, how much handbrake/brakes are needed for corners)
-Going sideways looks cool but decreases speed.
-Look through the corners.
-Try and avoid obstacles, for example if your drifting into a pole apply more brakes and prevent the crash if you can.
-On most maps with NOS there is a certain point where it is perfect to use the shot. (normally on the corner after the NOS bottle, as NOS only increases acceleration, not speed)
-When going over jumps rotate your car in mid air to try and land it as flat as the ground below.
Feel free to add your own driving techniques