Undie 500 Back in 2009

The annual Undie 500 will kick off tomorrow, with a heavy police presence expected to ensure a repeat of previous years’ riots does not mar the event.

Organised by the University of Canterbury student club ENSOC, the Undie 500 is a long established student-run car rally between Christchurch and Dunedin. The name comes from the original requirement that vehicles purchased for the event do not exceed $500. Participants decorate vehicles and themselves before driving south to the city of Dunedin.

Controversy has surrounded the event for the last couple of years after Police were forced to arrest 69 people during the 2007 event, 24 of whom were University of Canterbury students.

Though the Undie 500 was officially banned last year, an unofficial version of the event was organised, which resulted in 30 arrests.

This year entry is limited to just 150 cars, and in an effort to clean up the event’s image, the Undie 500 is now being labelled a ‘charity drive’, with participants being encouraged to donate non perishable food items to Dunedin’s food banks.

There will be a 24 hour alcohol ban in place in North Dunedin from 6pm Saturday night, and Dunedin police have issued a warning that anyone arrested in relation to the event will not be offered police diversion.

Are you a Dunedin resident? Going on the Undie 500 Charity Drive this weekend? Send your comments and photos to news@nzs.com.