Leadfoot grandpa Wayne Funnell clocked 145km/h in his ‘brand new Mustang’
In further proof boys never grow out of their toys, a 75-year-old leadfoot has been clocked at more than double the speed limit on the Central Coast in his brand new Ford Mustang.
Wayne Victor Funnell was letting his pony loose on the Pacific Highway at Somersby, near the Australian Reptile Park, when he was pinged travelling a blistering 145km/h in a 70km/h zone near the turn off for the Australian Reptile Park.
A Traffic and Highway Patrol officer tracked his speed for nine seconds as he went from 117km/h to more than double the limit at 145km/h before Mr Funnell saw the Senior Constable and jumped on the picks at 10.45am, on March 1.
He was issued a $2435 on-the-spot fine for exceeding the speed by more than 45km/h and his licence was suspended for six months.
Mr Funnell, of Green Point, appealed the penalty in Gosford Local Court on Friday where his solicitor Ken Stewart said he was “in the wrong gear” and not used to the paddle shifter.
He said Mr Funnell had been driving for 58 years, there were no other cars around at the time and the road was not in a built up residential area.
But Magistrate Peter Barnett said the inference was he was in his “brand new Mustang” and he was taking it for spin.
Mr Barnett considered Mr Funnell’s otherwise good character and the length he’s held a licence but ultimately found he had to be punished.
“It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Mr Barnett said.
“It’s just too fast ... just so far beyond the pale.”
He fined Mr Funnell $1800 and disqualified him for six months but back dated it to when he was caught.