Car meet yobs are a minority say organisers

THE man behind the controversial ‘Max Power’ car meetings in Stockport has spoken out - and asked the council’s permission for them to continue.

Dan Wainwright was at a central area committee meeting to push his case for a regular Thursday meeting and a high-powered charity event one Sunday a month.

Currently up to 300 car enthusiasts meet on Thursday evenings at Newbridge Lane car park but would prefer to use Heaton Lane multi-storey, though this is closed.

The meeting heard residents have complained and issues include noise, cars racing along Newbridge Lane and dangerous doughnut manoeuvres.

But Mr Wainwright said the group was being unfairly ‘tarnished’ and just wanted to find somewhere out of the way to share a passion for cars.

He said: “We want somewhere to gather as friends where we can park our cars and not annoy residents. We are trying to be a better group of people than we are tarnished as.”

Although he conceded some people caused problems he told the meeting this was a minority.

Mr Wainwright added: “I agree it (racing and doughnuts) is dangerous, the way some of the yobs drive about I can’t stand it.

“I will do my best to police it, get registration details (of any trouble makers) and pass them on. I don’t want to get to the point where the council is fighting us.”

Councillor Sheila Bailey said there were also concerns about the car park being taken over so no spaces were left for the public and intimidation.

It was said that the Max Power - or car cruising events would need to be officially approved before going ahead in future.

Coun Chris Murphy gave Roughley’s Bike Show as a good example of this.

He said: “If you want to hold an event on public space you need to apply, there’s a form, there’s insurance.

“Roughley’s have to pay, have a licence, speak with environmental services. That’s what you need to do.”

A report has been produced looking at ways to deal with the issue.

It says police do not have enough resources to have a zero tolerance approach so other solutions suggested were locking the car park or engaging with organisers.