United Kingdom, Aug. 20 -- Dame Helen Mirren believes she could have been a competitive racing driver.

The 80-year-old actress is "foolishly vain" about her skills behind the wheel and is convinced that if she hadn't had such a successful screen career, she'd have done just as well on the race track.

She told People magazine: "I'm rather foolishly vain about my driving. I'm sure I could have been a racing car driver."

Although Helen - who is married to director Taylor Hackford - turned 80 last month, she insisted she doesn't "recognise" birthdays because "life rolls on" and isn't interested in extravagant celebrations.

She said: "Honestly, I don't celebrate birthdays. I don't recognise them because life just rolls on,.

"I expect to b...