VIDEOS: Two examples of why racing drivers shouldn't bring their work home..

With Valentine’s Day looming, you may already be pondering ways in which to say “I love you” to that special person in your life. But despite the romantic connotations of a ‘Red Letter Driving Day’, don’t make the mistake of assuming you can kill two birds with one stone – a bit of driving fun at the local race track and a day out with the other half.

When she says, “..take me for a ride”, maybe she actually means ‘to the shops’ rather than around a race track.

You will probably have already seen the first of these videos from 2008 showing ex-F1 driver Riccardo Patrese and his wife in a Honda Civic Type-R around Jerez circuit, Spain.

There are several priceless moments, including the hand signal from Italian-speaking Mrs P that needs no translation.

At last weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours the wife of Portuguese racing driver, João Barbosa, made the same mistake of trusting her dignity to a husband with a wicked sense of humour.

Strapped into a 2-seater Prototype, the 2010 Rolex 24 Daytona champion takes his wife on a 185 mph ride around the International Speedway, with inevitable consequences.

Assuming their relationship survived beyond the journey back home, perhaps the lesson to be learned is to wait until there’s a ring on her finger before subjecting your loved one to such a test. Especially if you then intend to post the evidence of her distress on YouTube for all her closest friends to see..