German police have set up a special task force to catch British drivers staging Cannonball Run-style races on autobahns.
Most German motorways have no speed limit, but using them for racing is illegal and is a growing problem that police are determined to stop.
The quick reaction squad were in use for the first time over the weekend, with 500 officers and more than 100 police cars stopping drivers accused of taking part in the latest Cannonball copycat.
German police say wealthy British motorists are teaming up for races organised over the internet to test their Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches to the limits.
More than 100 British motorists in high powered sports cars were stopped over the weekend, with more than a dozen of them fined sums averaging about £300.
Two were also carted off to the cells for the night after they were found to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
At the end of last month, a similar group were caught during speeds of up to 170mph while high on drugs cocktails ranging from cannabis to cocaine.
The race is one of about 20 British-organised events for owners of high-speed cars. Each costs up to £2,500 to enter, with stays at five-star hotels and stop-offs at motoring racing tracks.
One enthusiast, from Leicestershire, describes himself as having "caviar tastes" but a "beer income".
He said: "What happened was not very good - we all just got a bit carried away. But I'm no rich playboy. I'm an engineer who works 16 hours a day."
Dodging the authorities - or outrunning them - is considered part of the fun. Some drivers have been known to pay out up to £20,000 in on-the-spot fines en route.
Most German motorways have no speed limit, but using them for racing is illegal and is a growing problem that police are determined to stop.
The quick reaction squad were in use for the first time over the weekend, with 500 officers and more than 100 police cars stopping drivers accused of taking part in the latest Cannonball copycat.
German police say wealthy British motorists are teaming up for races organised over the internet to test their Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches to the limits.
More than 100 British motorists in high powered sports cars were stopped over the weekend, with more than a dozen of them fined sums averaging about £300.
Two were also carted off to the cells for the night after they were found to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
At the end of last month, a similar group were caught during speeds of up to 170mph while high on drugs cocktails ranging from cannabis to cocaine.
The race is one of about 20 British-organised events for owners of high-speed cars. Each costs up to £2,500 to enter, with stays at five-star hotels and stop-offs at motoring racing tracks.
One enthusiast, from Leicestershire, describes himself as having "caviar tastes" but a "beer income".
He said: "What happened was not very good - we all just got a bit carried away. But I'm no rich playboy. I'm an engineer who works 16 hours a day."
Dodging the authorities - or outrunning them - is considered part of the fun. Some drivers have been known to pay out up to £20,000 in on-the-spot fines en route.
