A new trend among car enthusiasts of performing a burnout with coloured tyres to announce the gender of a baby seems to be taking off in New Zealand, as Australian Police look into a similar incident which took place on a public road.
Video posted on the Facebook page of Sydney Event Escorts on Sunday, and reported by news.com.au, shows one incident where a Holden Commodore was used to spin specialty wheels which emit coloured smoke when losing traction.
Traffic Highway Patrol is now investigating the incident, and a spokesman warned that burnouts are illegal under Australia's Road Transport Act.
A New Zealand police spokesperson has also told 1 NEWS they're "not aware of this trend happening in New Zealand at this time", however several videos have been published online within the past few months which were taken in New Zealand.
The videos show 'baby burnout' ceremonies taking place on private property or on "skid pads" - purpose-designed areas where car enthusiasts can practice burnouts in relative safety.
At least one New Zealand organisation - Rattla Motorsports - is offering "a wide variety of coloured tyres" as well as a vehicle and experienced driver for those wanting to perform a ceremony.
The company said it had only carried one such performance, which was on private property that was fenced and gated off from public access.
It was fully compliant with the law.
However, police warn that burnouts on public roads amount to an offence - sustained loss of traction - which carries a maximum penalty of either three months' imprisonment and six months minimum disqualification, or a $4500 fine and minimum six months' disqualification.
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