Need for speed proves costly and dangerous for Sea to Sky luxury car rally drivers
At least 2 cars in Hublot Diamond Rally between Vancouver and Pemberton impounded, drivers fined $483
An exclusive rally for luxury car owners and drivers kept police along the Sea to Sky Highway busy on Saturday.
At least two cars in the event, known as the Hublot Diamond Rally, were impounded for excessive speeding and the drivers fined $483.
According to RCMP freeway patrol spokesperson Const. Melissa Wutke, both vehicles were clocked going 162 kilometres-an-hour in a 90 kilometre zone somewhere along the rally route between Vancouver and Pemberton.
West Vancouver Police also report handing out an excessive speeding ticket to the driver of an Audi sports car but could not confirm if he was entered in the rally.
A number of rally drivers also received speeding tickets although CBC News was unable to confirm a total number.
Wutke said some of the rally drivers believe they have free rein to drive as fast as they want, even though Diamond Rally organizers state numerous times on the website that "speed limits must be followed on the Sea to Sky highway."
"I know there's a common misconception by some people who participate in this Diamond Rally that the police do not enforce the speed limit. That is completely incorrect and untrue," she said. "There are no special provisions given to the drivers in the rally. This is not a police sanctioned event."
The Vancouver Police Department motorcycle drill team did participate in start line celebrations.
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VPD?src=hash">#VPD</a> Motorcycle Drill Team helped get the Diamond Rally Charity Challenge safely on its way this morning in support of many great causes <a href="https://t.co/4aZnDasTew">pic.twitter.com/4aZnDasTew</a>
—@VPDTrafficUnitThe Diamond Rally brings together 200 luxury cars and drivers who pay as much as $1,199.00 to enter.
Drivers must be 20 years old and must have a car that meets the organizer's definition of "luxury" or "supercar" to qualify for participation.
Alternatively, a driver can rent a luxury car provided by a partner company of the Diamond Rally. The most expensive model, a Lamborghini Aventador Spyder, can be had for $6,300.
Calls to an organizer of the Hublot Diamond Rally were not returned.
According to ICBC speed is the number one contributing factor in fatal traffic crashes in B.C.