not crazy at all, I do the exact same thing.

 

like my usual instructor says which always prevented me from crashing, start out slow with low boost, learn the track and work your way up to speed and then once you comfy turn it up and still dot go full bore...on more than one occasion I have see people go full bore first few laps and t hen go home with a boomerrang of a car...as for toluene ive used it too but it sucks for the guy behind you...
Take advice with a grain and do as you want but ive learned more with this guy Jack from PCA/RTR and EMRA and I cant even keep up in my evo or civic to his na rx7...hes a driving machine