Hahaha, yes it could go like the clappers with those steel wheels, especially down the off ramp of the old Victoria bridge. That same bridge cost me many skins, as like any other invention there were some "teething" problems.
Going at top speed with no brakes presented some "problems" and the steel ball racers were slippery as hell on the tarred roads.
I leave the rest to your imagination, which should include coming to an abrupt halt at full speed against a curb and landing ass over kettle in someone's garden!