Marlborough boy racers, or 'car enthusiasts' as they like to be known, say the construction of a concrete skid pad will take them off the streets away from frustrated residents.

If you can't beat them, join them.

That's the attitude of a Blenheim woman tormented by boy racers and the noise of shrieking tyres.

Mel Ponikly said she had been woken numerous times by the sound of late-night drifters and even installed a security camera as a deterrent.

SCOTT HAMMOND/FAIRFAX NZ Blenheim man Nich Searles is one of the car enthusiasts leading the charge for a concrete skid pad in Marlborough.

But when that failed, rather than butt heads with the youths, Ponikly decided to back their campaign for a concrete skid pad in Marlborough.

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"I think it would be a brilliant idea for them, they need to vent, and there's nothing here in Marlborough for them," she said.

RICKY WILSON/FAIRFAX NZ Skid marks at the corner of Jacksons Rd and Rapaura Rd outside Blenheim.

Ponikly lived near the corner of Old Renwick Rd and Jacksons Rd, which she said was considered one of the most dangerous intersections in Marlborough.

She had seen a car doing burnouts in the middle of the intersection during the afternoon and holding up traffic, which posed a public safety risk.

"I have teenage sons myself and they're going to start buying cars soon, I'd rather they were in a controlled environment where I know they're going to be safe," she said.

RICKY WILSON/FAIRFAX NZ The Eastern States Speedway is open to the idea of a skid pad onsite.

"Not just in the middle of the bloody street where they're putting themselves and the public in danger."

Self-described car enthusiast Nich​ Searles said having a dedicated skid pad or somewhere to go would help stop nightly disturbances

"If we had somewhere to go it would take it off the streets, because we'd have somewhere to go and blow off steam," he said.

"I 100 per cent agree with the residents that are getting woken up at 3am, I get woken up by people doing skids near my place and it drives me insane."

However, the 20-year-old said the group he drove around with, which numbered about 20 people, tried to keep disturbances to a minimum by heading out to the countryside.

When they were in Blenheim, they pulled up at places such as the Blenheim New World and train station car parks, as well as the multi-storey car park building on Alfred St.

However, he said they were often moved on by the police, but it was another group that was causing disturbances by driving around on Friday and Saturday nights in Blenheim.

Searles was an administrator of the Facebook page 'Blenheim needs a skid pad' and said he had been going over health and safety requirements for the past six months.

"The idea is to take everyone off the streets on the weekends, stop leaving rubber on intersections, and get us to a safe place where we can talk about cars and chill out," he said.

"We're just a group of guys and girls that love cars, we all share a passion for them."

Searles said he planned to approach the Marlborough District Council to see if they would support the idea, which Ponikly said they should as it could provide them with revenue if people gathered to watch.

A council spokeswoman said they would need more information about where the concrete skid pad might go before they could provide any regulatory guidelines.

"If they're looking at seeking funding, then like anyone else, they're entitled to make a submission through the annual plan process," she said.

"In the meantime they could approach council, or a councillor, to discuss their ideas."

Police and speedway response

Marlborough highway patrol team leader Sergeant Barrie Greenall said police received around two or three complaints a week relating to boy racers.

"It's not a considerable issue within Marlborough but as with most communities around New Zealand there's some people that partake in this as a hobby," he said.

"They are a concern because of the safety risk and the nuisance they cause for residents of Marlborough due to the noise and debris that's left after incidents."

Greenall said incidents involving boy racers were dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but said they could face hefty penalties under the Land Transport Act.

The act covered offences such as illegal street racing, sustained loss of traction, the unnecessary exhibition of speed and modification of vehicles, Greenall said.

Those convicted could have their car impounded, face up to three months in prison or fined $4500, as well as having their licence immediately disqualified.

Greenall said the police would support car enthusiasts setting up their own skid pad, on the condition it complied with regulatory and health and safety standards.

Eastern States Speedway vice president John Blokker said the Renwick-based speedway had worked with a group of car enthusiasts in the past to set up a skid pad.

The project got as far as the building stage, but the group did not come through with the $15,000 to $25,000 required to build it.

Blokker said if a proposal was put forward again, and funding could be found, the speedway would re-consider having a skid pad, as long as there were proper conditions around its use.