Police Catch State's Oldest Hoon

[Dagabond]

VICTORIA'S OLDEST hoon has been unmasked as a car-loving military enthusiast on a New Year's Day run.

Narre Warren man John Belfield, 78, was charged and his Nissan Pulsar sports car impounded after he was caught 170km/h in a 100km/h zone.

Police said the elderly driver claimed to race cars, and was caught along Brandy Creek Rd, Warragul at 1.45pm on January 1.

Baw Baw Traffic Management Unit police said they caught the driver, driving the Pulsar, and immediately impounded the car.

He was allegedly caught following a Nissan Skyline driven by a 36-year-old Canterbury man whose car was also impounded.

Both men had their cars impounded and paid $600 to retrieve their vehicles from the Warragul impoundment yesterday.

Mr Belfield of NW was travelling in a Nissan-Datsun sports owners club social run on New Year’s Day, when he was nabbed.

Club president Karen Hamer-Finn said the two members caught by police could expect to be "disciplined internally" as well as face police penalties.

“We’re not above the law,” she said.

Ms Hamer said she was surprised that anyone of any age would travel at such a speed.

Mr Belfield is one of the state’s most well known military equipment collectors.

Until several years ago, he ran a private museum including tanks, armoured cars, artillery and flame throwers, she said.

Authorities say they are stunned at the senior citizen's claim that he was a "skilled driver".

The 78-year-old Narre Warren North man is officially Victoria's oldest hoon, as reports emerge of a a 70-year-old Adelaide man nabbed for allegedly doing burnouts.

Premier John Brumby was bewildered at the actions of the 78-year-old and blasted the behaviouor of both drivers as bizarre and appalling, labelling both the hoons "fools".

"For this fool, the full force of the law will be applied to him," he said.

Acting Baw Baw Sergeant Carlo Visser said the road that the 78-year-old man was hooning on was 6m wide and winding.

"It is disappointing to see a senior member of our community being so irresponsible,'' Mr Visser said.

"What example does this set for younger drivers?''

Mr Visser said the man told police he was a skilled driver who raced cars.

"We fail to see how a driver can be competent when they are tearing around roads at 170km/h knowing that other drivers will not be expecting you.

"To put those people's safety, and your own, at such risk is really toying with death.''

Previously the oldest hoon on record was a 64-year-old Porsche-driving Armadale man, who was caught speeding at 110km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Mr Brumby said it had been a horrible start to the new year on Victorian roads and people had to drive safely or their vehicles could become "instruments of death and destruction".

"For all of the police presence, for all of the advertising, the new speed cameras that have been out there, the tough hoon legislation - you still get idiots like this and the example they set is just an appalling example to young people.

"It doesn't matter how old you are, how fit you are - it's just not appropriate, it's completely inappropriate behaviour."

Police have already impounded 42 cars in 2009 from drivers of all ages.

And in a similar Christmas bust, a 70-year-old Adelaide man had his car impounded after allegedly doing burnouts, while more than three times over the blood alcohol limit, Messenger Newspapers reports.

He was charged after being spotted on Christmas Day about 11.30pm allegedly doing burnouts.

According to police, the driver allegedly blew-out the rear tyres, but kept doing burnouts, sending sparks flying from the rims and causing more than $400 damage to the road.

The man was breath-tested and allegedly returned a reading of 0.154.

He was charged with drink driving, misusing a motor vehicle and property damage. He also had his car impounded and lost his licence for 12 months.

Acting Chief Inspector John Edwards said he was “astounded” by the incident.

“It does astound police as to the levels of disregard among people that you would expect to know better. The disregard is blatant and there’s no excuse for creating a risk to other road users.’’

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...418-661,00.html

[b-rad]

a pulsar can do over 80 0_o

[freeze_dk]

love how on the news they said "hotted up ride".. they come standard how it is

also love this

"What example does this set for younger drivers?''

if it wasnt plastered all over the news,, nobody would know about it

Edited 06/01/09 10:32 AM by freeze_dk

[jrfttf]

sorta wrecks the vn commo driving 18 year old image!

[R-SPEC]

Since when is 170kph fast?

Edited 06/01/09 11:37 AM by R-SPEC

[RHR]

Must have been a slow night.

Must say its a bout time the oldies picked up the pace

[Blonk]

170kmh.....

If that made the paper I am in deep shiat and huge media coverage if I get caught overtaking..

Lucky I am going on Tabs cruise next weekend.. WIll teach me a new way to see the country, actually see it.

[RHR]

^ lol

[Chief_XR6T]

the old mans my hero

in S.A we got very ugly scenery in hills and we want to get past it as fast as possible

[smicky]

Not supporting his activity, but come on... you got to take your hat off to the old bloke and give him a thumbs up!

Wat a cool pop!

My grandfather would do about 40km/h top speed, problem was he was always on the wrong side of the friggin road as well!

What a great effort at 78yo!

Wonder if this was to make up for his missus and well dare I say it (cos I hope im not in this situation at 78.. but...) makes up for not getting it up?