A group of boy racers made a lucky escape last night after the car they were in went up in flames after crashing during a race.
The group had been part of Dunedin's longest drag train in history, which involved more than 400 cars cruising the streets of Dunedin as a mass boy racer convoy.
It is believed two cars were racing when one swerved to miss a pedestrian, lost control and slammed into a fence.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said the occupants were lucky to get out alive after the car caught on fire.
"Given that the car burst on fire straight away, we're probably very lucky that we haven't got multiple deaths from the car.
The 30-year-old driver fled the scene, but was later hunted down by police dogs and charged with drink-driving.
Extra police staff were enlisted for the event, which Chief Inspector Dennis Lock said helped to keep the alcohol-fuelled event at bay.
"Generally drivers are behaving themselves, but there's a few other alcohol-fuelled people around.
"As long as drivers are aware that they're driving a deadly weapon."
The event was advertised on social media, attracting over 1000 car enthusiasts from all over the South Island.