Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has hailed his first-ever drive in a rallycross car a “mega experience”.

Button, the 2009 championship winner, jetted into Lydden Hill from the south of France yesterday to film a secret BBC feature about the sport.

The 35-year-old was joined by former F1 favourite David Coulthard as the pair drove two rallycross cars ahead of the MSA British Rallycross round at the circuit on Bank Holiday Monday.

They both got behind the wheel of a retro VW Beetle – similar to that raced by Jenson’s late dad John in the 1970s – before trying their hand in a modern supercar from the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Jenson, who drove a 500bhp JRM Racing Mini, said: “Today has been a mega experience and completely different to what I am used to.

“You need a huge amount of skill to drive these cars – on your own it’s scary enough, never mind going up against another four or five other drivers!

“Rallycross is unbelievably competitive now, very professional and a lot of fun.

“It’s a really exciting discipline and it’s growing again like it was in the eighties on both the British and World scene, which is great to see.”

BBC F1 pundit Coulthard piloted the 600bhp Citroen DS3 usually driven by Sittingbourne’s Liam Doran.

After getting used to their new rides, the pair then took part in a mock race around the one-mile circuit.

Jenson added: “It’s been a very special day. It brought back a lot of memories.

“I grew up with rallycross – it was where it all started for me when I was four or five years old.

“I used to watch my dad racing back in the mid-eighties and I loved hearing the car – it was so loud!

“I wouldn’t be F1 world champion if it hadn’t been for my dad and the grassroots of rallycross – that was where I caught the motor sport bug.”

The feature will be shown during coverage of a forthcoming Grand Prix on the BBC, although a date is yet to be confirmed.

Lydden Hill will host round seven of the MSA British Rallycross Championship on Bank Holiday Monday. For a full preview, see tomorrow's Kentish Gazette and East Kent Mercury.