Driving cars at speed is inherently unsafe. But this is High Performance Driving Education we're talking about, not racing. It's much more controlled thanks to instructors and passing rules/passing zones and various safety rules, which creates a generally lower-speed/less-risky environment. Some people choose to do that in street cars with motorcycle helmets, which is allowed. Personally I don't go on track without way more safety gear than the minimum, just like I wouldn't ride a motorcycle to 7-11 four blocks away without full gear either, but to each his own, we all make choices in life