WHEN you’re a struggling car mechanic running your father’s garage, the prize money proffered by the illegal street race scene can tempt with its golden glow.

Tobey (Aaron Paul) is king of the road. He, along with his A-team comprising Benny (Kid Cudi), Joe (Ramon Rodriguez), Finn (Rami Malek) and Little Pete (Harrison Gilbertson), seem unbeatable.

Until a race against Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper) ends in an inferno, that is.

Tobey is arrested, sentenced to time behind bars for a crime he did not commit, while Dino walks away untarnished by suspicion.

Two years on, Tobey is released, swearing revenge against Dino by competing against his nemesis in a legendary race organised by the enigmatic Monarch (Michael Keaton).

There is one major stumbling block, however. Tobey doesn't have a car, so he borrows a turbo-charged vehicle and agrees to take car dealer Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) in the passenger seat as insurance.

Sparks of sexual attraction fly between Tobey and Julia, complicating his relationship with old flame Anita (Dakota Johnson).