By Emma Jolliff
It looks like the infamous Undie 500 car rally has found a new home in picturesque Marlborough.
The convoy of Christchurch engineering students traditionally travels from Christchurch to Dunedin. But this September, the party heads north instead, destination: Seddon.
But some Seddon residents are definitely not looking forward to the experience.
After years of drunken, riotous behaviour in Dunedin, the notorious Undie 500 student car rally has found itself a new destination, and new hosts, Trish and Chris Redwood. The idea to host it, they say, was theirs.
"Baby boomers have a ridiculous attitude to young people today," says Trish Redwoods. "When we were young, we were able to party."
Neighbour, winemaker Peter Yealand, admits he hasn't seen the plans but he isn't happy.
"I'm opposed to it basically because I don't believe that alcohol, and beat up old cars and young people are a good mix," says Mr Yealand.
Despite an expected crowd of around 1000 people, Ms Redwood says the troubles seen in Dunedin are unlikely to be repeated here.
"What would they do?" she asks.
There will be a stage, marquee, campsites and carparking. It's 500m from the nearest road.
The event will be operated under a lockdown arrangement. Drivers will surrender car keys on entry, students will be locked in for the entire weekend and they'll be breathalysed on their way out.
It'll be a four-hour drive to Seddon for Canterbury competitors, but it's just a short distance from Blenheim and that has Marlborough's mayor worried.
"The Seddon community are sending me emails, they're talking about a petition," says Alistair Sowman. "They're a small community, they've got one pub, no policemen and they're worried."
So if not in Seddon, where?
"Kaikoura," suggests Mr Sowman. "Anywhere except Marlborough."
Council admits it has no power to stop it.
The students have yet to apply for a liquor licence. Local police say they'll oppose it. Either way, they'll have to sort it out before the race gets underway in September.
3 News