Police crack down on Gold Coast street racers

More than 25 cars are being impounded every week on the Gold Coast as police hunt for "brainless" P-platers using Facebook to promote illegal street racing.

Gold Coast traffic boss Bradyn Murphy said "the idiot mentality" of hoons had crept back into the city with a street race every day but warned wannabe V8 Supercar drivers they would be caught and their cars seized.

It comes as police impounded 1348 Gold Coast vehicles in the past year, up nearly 50 per cent on 2012 figures.

"We have really cracked down on street racing in the past few years but the idiot mentality is starting to crawl back and P-platers need to realise we have a police helicopter now and we will catch them," Sen-Sgt Murphy said.

"We probably have an incident every day and if they get caught, their cars will be impounded."

Those caught for type one hooning offences, including speeding 40km/h above the limit, driving dangerous and illegal street racing, can have their car impounded on the spot for 90 days.

People charged with type two hooning offences, which include high-range drink-driving and driving without a licence, can have their vehicle impounded for seven days on their second offence and 90 days on their third offence.

Police can also seize a car permanently if motorists attract any additional charges in either category.

Sen-Sgt Murphy's warning came after police tracked a 100-vehicle, street-racing convoy across the M1 late last week.

The Fast and Furious-style race moved from Yatala to Nerang and motorists involved reached speeds of more than 200km/h.

The Polair helicopter was called to track the racers but police managed to stop only one driver.

 The streets are not a racetrack

They charged an 18-year-old Bundall man with participating in a speed trial. He will face Southport Magistrates Court this week.

Sen-Sgt Murphy said if the race was promoted on Facebook the organiser would be hit with several charges and risk six months behind bars, or $4500 in fines.

"We will find out if someone has organised this on Facebook and they will be charged with organising a street race which has very severe consequences," he said.

"If you want to race then go get qualified and do it professionally – the streets are not a racetrack.

"We do not want to see anyone killed on the roads and if people need to lose their vehicles to learn that and grow some brain cells, then we will take their cars.

"Licensing is a privilege which can be taken away."