@OP
That's really lame man. MY GIRLFRIEND LOVES WIPEOUT. She really sucks (she's only played 2 games in her life, Heavy Rain being the other), but she'll probably kick your ass, which is very sad.
Wipeout HD is AWESOME: Beautiful, massive and challenging. It's SO cool to put on your own music tracks and hear them change as you jump and go through tunnels.
Learn to air-brake and play on the lower speed classes. If that doesn't work then go back to Sonic free riders.