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A 21-YEAR-old car fanatic has finally faced up to his part in the death of his friend almost a year after the two pals raced "with tragic consequences" to test the performance of their powerful vehicles.

At the beginning of what was expected to be a three-day trial, Miles Crossley changed his plea and admitted causing the death of Michael Johnson by dangerous driving. He could now be facing a jail sentence.

He made the decision to plead guilty after hearing an outline of the prosecution's case, which claimed Crossley and his pal, were racing along the Silk Road at speeds of up to 100mph, before Mr Johnson's car overturned and burst into flames, killing him almost immediately.

Before the change of plea, counsel for the prosecution, John Wyn Williams, told a jury that they would hear from a number of eye witnesses who had been concerned about the speeds of the two cars, which were travelling along the Silk Road just before 10pm on Tuesday, April 29 last year.

He said: "They were both aged 20 and both fascinated with small, powerful cars. Their cars were in fact their pride and joy. They were testing the performance of their cars with tragic consequences."

Mr Wyn Williams said Crossley, of Whirley Road, Macclesfield, had been seen driving too close to Mr Johnson's car, a GTI turbo Fiat Punto. Crossley was driving a red Citroen Saxo, with a personalised number plate.

The jury heard that Mr Johnson had been behind a slower vehicle which was in the outside lane and he decided to overtake it from the nearside but he lost control of his car.

Mr Wyn Williams said that the car then skidded off the road, rolled over and burst into flames after crashing into a lamppost.

He told the jury that Mr Johnson would have been killed almost immediately and his body was so badly burnt that he had to be identified by his dental records.

"Miles Crossley caused the death of his friend by driving too quickly and too close," said Mr Wyn Williams. "Mr Johnson lost control of his car because of his racing with the defendant."

The court heard that Mr Johnson's mother had said cars had been her son's passion.

"Sadly for him his passion for high performance cars led to his tragic death," said Mr Wyn Williams.

After Crossley changed his plea to guilty judge Merfyn Hughes QC said: "I know how difficult it is for people in these situations to face up to their responsibility. The defendant has admitted what would have inevitably been proved in the course of evidence."

The case has been adjourned for pre-sentence reports but Justice Hughes told Crossley that he could be facing a jail term.