OK, so  to get you on the right track, Burnout 3 ; Takedown is about risk and reward. Risk = reward. So for instance, driving into oncoming traffic gains you boost, as does taking opponents down  (takedown).

There are four main types of event: Burning lap (against the clock),  Race, Crash (gain $ by causing carnage) and Road rage (how many opponents can you take down before you are destroyed)