TWO cars were racing at speeds up to 80mph when one ploughed head-on into an oncoming car, critically injuring its driver, a court heard yesterday.

Teenage drivers David Harrison and Dominic Mitton, both of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, each admitted dangerous driving when they appeared before the town's magistrates.

Mitton, 18, of St Andrew's Street, also admitted aggravated vehicle taking and having only a provisional licence.

Harrison, 18, of Coppice View, admitted using a car with a dangerous tyre.

Mark Haigh, prosecuting, said the accident happened as the two cars were going down Kex Gill, at Blubberhouses, on the A59 Harrogate-Skipton road at 10.30pm on September 15.

Witnesses said both cars were being driven aggressively at speeds between 70mph and 80mph.

But as Harrison pulled out to pass Mitton, his car collided head-on with a blue Citroen van, driven by Mark Ryan.

Mr Ryan suffered life-threatening injuries, but survived, the court was told.

Harrison and his front seat passenger, Adrian Allen, had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters.

Harrison and Mitton denied racing.

Geoffrey Boothby, for Mitton, said he had taken his mother's car from the drive and had been trying to keep up with Harrison after being overtaken.

Katherine Southby, for Harrison, said he had simply made an incorrect decision to overtake.

Court chairman Forrest Humphrey bailed both men until September 27 and banned them from driving in the meantime.