A 24-year-old hoon driver who reached speeds of 140km/h while drag racing along Sturt Street has been labelled an ‘idiot’.
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The Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday heard police chased after two drivers dragging along Sturt Street in the early hours of December 12.
Police clocked the cars driving at 140km/h before both took off in separate directions.
One of the drivers, Brett Watson, pleaded guilty to evading police and driving at a dangerous speed.
Watson was arrested and his car impounded on the night when police later found him driving slowly around the Newington area.
In an interview Watson said he saw the police and made a decision to try and get away.
He told police he had no idea why he did it and now realised it was "a stupid thing to do".
His lawyer told the court three things contributed to his client’s offending, immaturity, bravado and stupidity.
"It was a one-off situation and out of character," he said.
Detailing the offending, the lawyer said Watson was driving to get McDonalds when the second driver pulled up next to him and signaled him to race.
"It was a rush of blood.”
He told the court Watson, who had no criminal history, fled from police in fear.
He said Watson’s actions had already cost him.
Listening to the details of the drag race, magistrate Cynthia Toose told Watson his actions could have been detrimental.
"You were drag racing with an idiot and that's what you are ... an idiot," she said.
"It was a moment of madness that could have cost someone their life."
She fined Watson $2500 with conviction, disqualified him from driving for 24 months and ordered him to complete a safe driver program.
"I want him to be aware of the serious consequences. If he had any priors he would be going to jail."
