Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard: "I think it is important to provide some support for [the man], who has entirely through his own poor judgement and panic, got himself into, what he knows, is a very serious situation".

Labour MP Trevor Mallard has asked the court to allow an illegal racer to escape conviction for lying to police.

The man, 24, was caught, and has been convicted, after illegally racing another car at speeds of up to 210kmh on State Highway 2, Lower Hutt, in September.

When police caught up with him later, he allegedly lied, telling them someone must have stolen his car.

JARED NICOLL/ FAIRFAX NZ Judge Chris Tuohy declined a media application to photograph the man in the Hutt Valley District Court on February 3.

His actions were described by the sentencing judge, Judge Chris Tuohy, as "the most serious of its type" and police called the racing "appalling".

READ MORE: Hutt Valley racer admits going 210kph on public road

However, Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard still wrote a letter of support, under his official Labour Party letterhead, for the man.

In the letter, Mallard urged the court to suspend the man's conviction for lying to the police.

"This is a young man with tremendous potential and my request is that his years place of study not be negated by a conviction on the fake statement charge."

On Friday, Mallard said he knew the man's family before they approached him for help, and he did not feel that it was inappropriate for an MP to provide a character reference in criminal matters.

"I knew his family. Knew of but didn't know [the man] personally," Mallard said.

"Probably three or four families would approach me for assistance in criminal matters for each letter I provide."

Community leaders, such as business people and clergy, have long provided character references to the country's courts, he said.

"I probably provide a character reference once every three or four years for courts. Similarly for banks. Letting agencies a bit more frequently."

But Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace said while what Mallard did was his business, people only need to look at the horrific damage done by speeding to see how dangerous the man's actions had been.

"The ridiculous speed and then lying to police. I certainly wouldn't be writing a letter of support for someone who has been so reckless."

Labour Party leader Andrew Little said he was not aware of the particular case.

"This is not unusual however as local MPs will often advocate for those in their electorates and occasionally this may involve a police matter."

On Wednesday in Hutt Valley District Court, the man was sentenced 220 hours community service and disqualified from driving for 12 months for illegal driving.

The false statement charge has been remanded for sentencing later this month, when the man's lawyer will argue he should be given a discharge without conviction, using Mallard's letter to support his case.

At the man's sentencing on the racing charge, Judge Tuohy said he had previously been disqualified from driving for similar offending in 2009.

He described the latest incident as "the most serious of its type" because of the high speed and the risk to the drivers and the public.

"Racing neck and neck with the other vehicle is just ridiculous," the judge said.

Constable Laurence Vautier of the Wellington District Road Policing Group said at the time that police were appalled to witness two cars racing each other at speeds up to 210kmh in the early hours of a Sunday morning.

"The consequences of a crash at these speeds would have been disastrous and would almost certainly have resulted in injury or death to all involved."

The judge lifted name suppression on the racing charge, but made an interim order name suppression on the false statement charge until the man appears for sentencing later this month.

The man's family declined to comment.