There's a long tradition of street racing in Europe.
Back in the 50's & early 60's the cafe racers (esp. the "Ton Up Boys" & Rockers) were an alleged menace in London and other UK cities.
There are stories of timed motorcycle races around a pre-established street course, with the time based on getting back to the starting point (like the famous Ace Cafe) before a song ended.
These days, the term "boy racer" in England is roughly the equivalent of "ricer" in the US.
Boy Racer: Fast & Furious In The UK, documentary shows the world of Britain's boy racers | Daily Mail Online