Fury as petrolheads turn Sandbanks into race track after dark

Fury as petrolheads turn Sandbanks into race track after dark: Millionaire residents on exclusive peninsula slam boy racers reaching speeds of 70MPH on Monaco-like circuit during car meets

• The exclusive peninsula is being targeted by hundreds of petrol heads after dark
• Up to 40 cars park up in the main car park on the resort in Poole Harbour, Dorset
• Owners take them on one-way ‘circuit’ and are ‘reaching speeds of up to 70mph’

The millionaires’ playground of Sandbanks is being turned into a Monaco-like racing circuit by so-called bay racers who are holding regular meets there.

The exclusive peninsula – that is often described as Britain’s version of Monte Carlo – is being targeted by hundreds of petrol heads after dark.

Up to 40 souped-up motors park up in the main car park on the resort in Poole Harbour, Dorset, to be admired by like-minded people.

The owners take them for a spin on the one-way ‘circuit’ on the peninsula, passing multi-million pound mansions, reaching speeds of up to 70mph, it is claimed.

The car nuts are also said to be disturbing the peace of the posh neighbourhood by loudly revving their engines and doing doughnuts in the car park.

Now the well-heeled residents of Sandbanks have warned their actions could lead to someone being killed in a tragic accident if the authorities do not take action.

Video footage shot by a local resident shows several modified motors tearing around a roundabout at speed while dozens of fans watch from the kerb.

Up to 40 souped-up motors park up in the main car park on the resort in Poole Harbour, Dorset, to be admired by like-minded people

Now the well-heeled residents of Sandbanks (pictured, the circuit from above) have warned their actions could lead to someone being killed in a tragic accident if the authorities do not take action

David Morley, the chairman of the Sandbanks Community Group, claimed so far the cars are to blame for a smashed planter and a damaged fence by the yacht club.

He said: ‘It has been a continuing problem over the last 18 months or so. Between 30 to 40 cars tend to gather in the car park late at night without warning.

‘They are souped-up cars with lower suspensions and modified exhausts. They are quite expensive-looking cars, they aren’t old bangers.

‘They parade their cars and show them off and rev up their engines, do doughnuts and play loud music.

‘Then a small number of them will speed around the one-way system around the headland of Sandbanks.

‘They speed around Sandbanks, using it like a Monte Carlo race track and it it downright dangerous.

‘We have had one car hit the roundabout and smash a planter and one car go through the fencing by the North Harbour Yacht Club.

‘At the speeds they are going at, if somebody comes out of their driveway or is walking they dog along the narrow pavements there is going to be a very unpleasant accident.

‘I reckon they get up to 70mph there in a completely residential area. It is extremely dangerous.’

The owners take them for a spin on the one-way ‘circuit’ on the peninsula, passing multi-million pound mansions, reaching speeds of up to 70mph, it is claimed

Matt Moffat, also of the Sandbanks Community Group, said: ‘They wait on the straight part of the road and make sure there is no police before racing around the peninsula.

‘Somebody will get killed. There are blind bends. Residents used to walk their dogs at night but many of them are too frightened to now.’

Mr Morley said so far the meets have been very sporadic, making it difficult for the police or local council to put a stop to them.

He added: ‘There is some degree of coordination going on for them to turn up at the same time.

‘The police and the council have been trying to address the problem but it is difficult because it all goes on suddenly

‘I got a load of threatening abuse when I started taking photos of them.’

Dorset Police said officers attended the latest ‘meet’ last Sunday but did not witness any speeding vehicles or motoring offences.

Dorset Police said officers attended the latest ‘meet’ last Sunday but did not witness any speeding vehicles or motoring offences. Pictured: Sandbanks from the sea

Inspector Dan Cullen, of Poole Police, said: ‘Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team continue to patrol this area as part of the Op Sandman multi-agency operation to combat anti-social behaviour.

‘We also work with our No Excuse roads policing team and the local authority to prevent issues and take enforcement action where appropriate.

‘We understand these issues cause distress and disruption to local residents and we are seeking more community information about any vehicles that drive dangerously or in an anti-social manner.

‘If anyone has any vehicle registrations for the vehicles involved then please contact Dorset Police and we will take the appropriate action.

‘If offences are identified, they will be investigated or we may use section 59 powers in relation to driving in an anti-social manner.

‘This involves us sending a warning notice to owners whose vehicles are reported to be driving in an anti-social manner and if further reports are then received we have the power to seize the vehicle.’

Car fan Matt Blackhurst took to social media to defend the car meets.

He posted: ‘I don’t normally comment on things like this, but I was down there. There was everything from Lamborghinis, mclarens, skylines, classic Aston martins, Ford mustangs, rx7s and also all the way to fiestas and mx5s.

‘It was a relaxed evening with lots of people sharing their hobbies & passions. Maybe 2 or 3 people drove irresponsibly but the police attended, and there was no issues.’

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