Wellington, Jan 23 - A V8 ute racing driver has been ordered to pay $25,000 after doing burnouts on a private business forecourt.

Aucklander Mack Peach did the burnouts on the premises of Lawrence PVC in Timaru, the day after competing in the New Zealand V8 Ute series at Timaru International Raceway last March, The Timaru Herald reported.

The forecourt was so badly damaged that the bitumen had to be relaid at a cost of $25,000.

Peach was later convicted of driving with sustained loss of traction, fined and lost his licence.

The insurers of Lawrence PVC took Peach to the Disputes Tribunal to pay for the damage and won.

Peach said he deeply regretted the incident, which he admitted was stupid, and said he had apologised to those involved.

"I thought it was an associate's property and I was egged on ... it shouldn't have happened."

NZPA WGT dj