Boy racer law nets leading businessman 

Boy racer legislation targeted at street racing youths has netted one of Taranaki's leading businessmen. 

The chairman of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, John Rae, has had his luxury Mercedes Benz impounded for breaching street and drag racing laws. 

Sergeant Evan Davidson of the Te Awamutu police says one of his colleagues spotted a car in the town's main street last month. He says the car's wheels had sustained loss of traction, causing smoke and marks on the road, and the driver was issued with a ticket. 

Davidson says the car has been impounded for 28 days, at the owner's expense. 

Rae, who runs an insurance brokerage in New Plymouth, is due appear in the Te Awamutu District Court next month and could face a three month jail term or a $4,500 fine.

The businessman claims the police are making an example of him. He says the situation is very embarrassing for him and the police may have targeted him because of his age or the type of car he was driving.

Rae says he is astounded by the amount of interest the case has generated and he says it is producing good publicity for the police. 

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