An intersecton in Wainuioru, the morning after more than a hundred boy racers gathered late last year. PHOTO/HAYLEY GASTMEIER
HAYLEY GASTMEIER
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A massive boy racing event involving more than 100 cars in Wairarapa late last year has resulted in police seizing almost a dozen vehicles.
The illegal burnout gathering caused significant damage to Greytown’s Woodside train station carpark and the road outside Wainuioru School, 22km east of Masterton, where bottles and tyre debris were left littered overnight on December 15.
Senior Sergeant Simon de Wit said police had been working hard to hold those responsible to account.
Police obtained video evidence of the offenders and numerous vehicle seizure warrants have been obtained with almost a dozen vehicles already impounded.
“A number of offenders are currently before the court,” he said.
“A search warrant actioned at a rural property in January opened a Pandora’s Box of raw video evidence that is currently being analysed and will lead to further arrests and vehicle seizures.
“The police have no tolerance for this type of behaviour and those who use public places as skid pads or race tracks.”
De Wit said clamping down on any illegal driving activity would remain a priority for police.
“We don’t want drivers on the road who are endangering the lives of people in our communities.”
Witnesses to the December event said they were kept awake by the racket and the burn-outs caused so much smoke that they thought the school was on fire.
Residents at both the Greytown and Masterton locations told the Times-Age they were disappointed at the lack of police presence.
However, police said the size of gathering made it impossible for officers to physically access the drivers of the offending vehicles.
Earlier that night, police held a check-point assessing the legality of the cars and the sobriety of the drivers leaving the Farriers car park, where no issues were identified.
