Priestley named as Denver grand marshal.

Jason Priestley, who made his name in the hit TV series Beverly Hills 90210, has been named as grand marshal of the 2005 CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver.

Priestley has a passion for racing, the Champ Car World Series, and Denver and said he was thrilled to have been named in the role.

"I've always enjoyed attending Champ Car races and being a part of race weekend festivities," he said. "Denver is one of my favourite places to visit and I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Grand Prix. If you've never been to a Grand Prix, you need to come down and be engulfed by all the energy and excitement."

As grand marshal for the Grand Prix of Denver, Priestley's role will include hosting the celebrity bowling, billiards and Texas Hold 'Em charity tournament on Wednesday 10 August at Lucky Strike Lanes, where teams of celebrities and corporate partners will compete for prizes, and all the proceeds will be split between the Grand Prix of Denver Foundation and the winning celebrity's charity of choice.

"It is an absolute pleasure to have Jason come to Denver in support of the Grand Prix," Jim Freudenberg, general manager of the Grand Prix and a personal friend of Priestley's, said. "Jason has agreed to lend his support to the multitude of charitable activities we have going on during the month of August and help make this year's Grand Prix an integral part of this city's landscape."

Priestley will also be the celebrity judge for the elite car show known as the Rocky Mountain Concours on 11 August and will serve as the master of ceremonies for his close friend, Steven Page of the band Barenaked Ladies, who will headline the concert on Saturday 13 August at the Universal Lending Pavilion.