Hollywood heartthrob Jason Priestley will get a taste of life in the fast lane with the help of York-born star driver James Thompson.

DRIVING AMBITION: York's James Thompson, second left, with Hollywood star Jason Priestley at Honda team' garage at the Brands Hatch circuit

The former Beverly Hills 90210 star was taking a break from his West End play to visit Brands Hatch.

Thompson has offered him the chance to get behind the wheel of his 150mph Honda Accord Super Touring car, and the actor prepared for his test drive later this year by joining spectators at yesterday's first two rounds of the British Touring Car Championship.

Priestley, currently appearing in jazz play Side Man at London's Apollo Theatre, was watching as rising star Thompson crashed on the opening day of the competition at the Kent circuit.

He is aiming to try out the 300bhp Honda Accord Super Touring Car for himself before the end of the racing season in September.

A spokesman for Honda said today: "Jason is going to drive the Honda at a test session later on in the year.

"He won't be racing it, but he's quite accomplished, so I'm sure he'll be lapping close to race speed."

He added that Priestley, who has a "passion" for fast cars, holds a competition licence and owns a vintage Austin Healey and a high-powered Escort Cosworth.

His previous experience has included sports racing in America and three years of rallying, including an entry in Rally Australia.

Yesterday's meeting of the touring car championship was the first of 12 to be held at circuits throughout Britain, including Silverstone and Donington.

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