Police investigating an illegal street race on Auckland's North Shore say there's only so much they can do to stop boy racers.
A girl, 17, had a leg amputated after she was hit during the race on the Shore on Thursday night.
Residents, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, say the stretch of road is often used as a dragstrip day and night. A man who has lived there for 48 years says it was only a matter of time before a serious crash occurred.
But Senior Sergeant Mark Fergus says the North Shore does not have a problem with organised illegal street racing.
He says this incident was a spontaneous street race, which happens intermittently in the area.
No charges have been laid against the driver of the car and the police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Two cars were seen racing in the Bayview area shortly before the crash occurred at midnight. The victim was standing in a carpark on Manuka Rd when one of the cars went out of control and hit her.
