Thomas Pender, 22, of Barrett Street, Timboon, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday to driving in a dangerous manner and street racing.

Police said that at 1.30am on February 8, Pender was heading east along Raglan Parade in a red Holden sedan racing another vehicle.

As the two cars approached Derby Street police checked Pender’s speed at 132km/h.

The probationary driver’s car was impounded, which attracted fees of $1005.

Defence counsel Amanda Chambers said there was no explanation for Pender’s driving behaviour.

She said on the night Pender was the designated driver. He saw a car approaching quickly from behind and decided he would match its speed.

Ms Chambers said the supermarket worker was remorseful and still paying off the car he would now not be able to drive for 12 months.

Magistrate John Lesser said there was little he could add, other than to say Pender’s remorse would have multiplied enormously if he had crashed and injured his passengers.

Pender was not convicted but fined $2000 and had his driver’s licence cancelled for 12 months. 

He will have to complete a safe driver program before getting his licence back.