Cops target boy racer cars registered as tractors

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Boy racers pretend to own tractors

3News NZ

Police say they will continue to target motorists with illegally modified vehicles, and may even look at using a colour code for registrations to differentiate between what really is a car and what is a tractor

Police say they will continue to target motorists with illegally modified vehicles, and may even look at using a colour code for registrations to differentiate between what really is a car and what is a tractor

Hundreds of motorists are ripping off taxpayers by thousands of dollars a year by pretending they own tractors.

But police fear the number of people who are dodging car registration fees could be far higher because it's difficult to detect.

3 News was with police at a drag racing event near Hamilton last night, where they were tackling the problem.

The driver of one vehicle was barely inside the gate of the Meremere event when he was pulled over by police.

“This car has been registered as a tractor,” says acting sergeant Ryan Lilleby to the driver. “Are you aware of that?”

“I plough my fields with it on the farm – hook the rotary on the back,” says the driver.

Police aren't amused. The owner is issued with a written warning.

“It's a fraud really,” says Sergeant Mark Fleming. “It’s a fraud against all other New Zealanders, but it's one which is quite difficult to detect.”

That's because the registration labels look so similar.

Police are increasingly catching people who are cheating the system in this way.

“Instead of costing them $220 to register their car, they register it as a tractor or a campervan and they pay significantly less,” says Mr Lilleby.

The organiser said he hadn't heard of the practice.

“I might have a look to see if there are any Nuffields or John Deeres racing,” says Drag Wars organiser.

A checkpoint had been set up at the drag racing earlier in the evening. Police were on the lookout for vehicles that had been illegally modified.

One car was caught with the roll case not certified, no VIN plates or identifiers on the car, exhaust systems not certified, and registered as a tractor. The vehicle was ordered off the road. The car is one of 33 at the event deemed unsafe by police.

But last night was more about education than enforcement. Normally if you're the owner of a vehicle found to be incorrectly registered, you're facing a $200 instant fine. And if you're a repeat offender, you could find yourself up in court on a fraud charge.

Police say they will continue to target motorists with illegally modified vehicles, and may even look at using a colour code for registrations to differentiate between what really is a car and what is a tractor.

3 News

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Comments

6/03/2013 10:52:21 p.m.

Ash wrote:

Why are people reffering to this event as a boy racer? This was a track event. I was racing that night n I am certainly not a boy racer!!

6/03/2013 10:32:57 a.m.

Bonnie wrote:

What the??? I have never heard of such a total waste taxpayer dollars. Our government paying cops to police around a legal car enthusiasts event. And then get these so called police to deter them from ever attending another event the same, by giving them fines. Sending them back out on the streets at night doing what they're not suppposed to be. I thought the overall plan was to get these cars off the streets into a safe controlled environment. Somewhere that gives them the opportunity to burn some rubber without sirens blaring. Wake up you news reporters, this is not a boy racer issue. Its a policing issue, directly stemming from our ridiculous excuse of a transport organisation. I am a mother of four that loves my own classic Holden, all musclecars, or cars that have had heart and soul poured into them, burnouts, the smell of burning rubber, and the hard work that goes into this passion that keeps so many youngsters busy and out of REAL trouble. Seriously these cops need to be policing our streets where the real crime takes place!!!!! Why pay stupid amounts for rego each year when you have a vehicle that only comes out of the garage once a week on a sunday cruise, or to one of these wonderful events that need to be held more often everywhere!!! I say classic car rego should apply to certain makes and certain cars that are modified. Especially when you've already paid so much for cert for your lovely modifications and shiny bits!!!! I think someone with half a brain needs to do some real reporting on what goes into these projects, how many hours are poured into them, and how hard it already is to have a modified, personalised car of your own half legal in NZ!!!

4/03/2013 2:12:35 p.m.

nigel wrote:

Get those boy racers, beneficiaries and mobile phone users. Do not allow any perks, privileges or work arounds of the system, make your average kiwi pay and pay and pay, every which way. Chase them down, film and photograph them, nail them to the wall, get them, get them, get them and if they blink shove em in a container.

4/03/2013 12:31:57 p.m.

James wrote:

Easy, NZTA should be able to pick-up on their computors, the change to Rego status, when it is made... When caught, make them pay the back Rego, and a fine as well.. Easy solved !!! Cheers, James.

4/03/2013 8:20:03 a.m.

liivvy wrote:

I cant believe the police are still picking on boyracers. They are at a proper event and not on the street. LEAVE THEM ALONE!!! and worst of all look how many police were there, abit o a joke isnt it? why aint they doing their real job? media picks on boy racers too it not just them!!!

3/03/2013 8:13:58 p.m.

Daniel wrote:

Cannot believe the stupidity of some of the comments. "Too expensive otherwise" and "it's still registered but cheaper" - Your kidding right? If you can afford to spend thousands of dollars on bolt on rubbish and fancy wheels, turbos etc you can afford REGO. Registration comes FIRST then spend your money on the dustbin exhausts.

3/03/2013 1:44:44 p.m.

bukster wrote:

The headline implies that only boy racers are doing this. Surely they are not the only people involved. I have to wonder why this is difficult to detect. These cars are obviously not tractors, so why is this difficult to figure out?

3/03/2013 12:52:42 p.m.

@Gilbert wrote:

"Like they do for classic cars $25 for rego for a year." You're dreaming mate. Even rego for cars over 40 years old is expensive!!!! (but less than for newer cars) Not like it used to be.

3/03/2013 10:49:06 a.m.

Sunny wrote:

This has nothing to do with boy racers. Its a big problem that is widely spread because of the high cost of petrol and car/bike registration. There is only one solution and that is to lower the prices so its in the affording range. We are still paying rego but just the cheaper version as. THe main thing is its still registered. I think the police need to do something more productive with there time than worry about this little matter.

3/03/2013 10:33:12 a.m.

VL wrote:

This is a case of the media having nothing better to report. I applaud the race organisers, participants and the Police for the fact that this is the best the media could come up with on the night. These events encourage safe and responsible competition and should be reported in that light.