Dean Cholerton, 18, from Loughborough, denies causing the deaths of Paul Millar, 17, and Graham Campsall, 19, by dangerous driving.

Leicester Crown Court heard the two died after their vehicle spun out of control into another car on the A6 in the town on 20 June 2003.

The jury heard neither Dean Cholerton nor Paul Millar had driving licences.

The simple fact is that they had they both not been racing, the accident would not have occurred. David Herbert, prosecuting

They had intended to drive two Vauxhall Cavaliers to a car meeting called The Strip, in Nottingham.

But the court heard they became involved in a race around the Dishley Grange housing estate in Loughborough.

The jury heard a series of witnesses saw the two vehicles travelling at speeds of up to 80mph with their bumpers only a few feet apart, in areas with a 30mph speed limit.

Paul Millar overtook Dean Cholerton and sped ahead before he hit a curb and spun out of control into the path of an oncoming Nissan Micra driven by Eleanor Yaxley, a student.

Serious injuries

Ms Yaxley and her passengers survived the crash with serious injuries.

But Paul Millar and his back seat passenger Graham Campsall died from their injuries.

The jury heard Mr Cholerton then left from the scene because he knew he should not have been driving.

When questioned by police later, the court heard, he said: "My driving was all right, but it was going a bit fast."

Prosecuting, David Herbert said: "The simple fact is that they had they both not been racing, the accident would not have occurred.

"There's no mistake - both drivers drove dangerously and in a way that contributed to the collision."

The trial continues.