Matthew Soll pleads guilty to illegal street racing at Frankston Magistrates’ Court

A DANDENONG North mechanic caught drag racing will have to walk to work and employ a test driver after losing his licence for two years.

A DANDENONG North mechanic caught drag racing will have to walk to work and employ a test driver after losing his licence for two years.

Matthew Soll pleaded guilty to illegal street racing at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on January 15.

The court heard the 36-year-old petrolhead — who rocked up wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words “race engines” — was one of several drivers reported to a hoon hotline at around 1am on July 17.

Police officers attended the Thompsons Rd, Carrum Downs scene and saw Soll’s Ford ute and a HSV Commodore waiting at red lights.

They then watched as the lights turned green and the two drivers floored it, hitting speeds of around 140km/h in an 80km/h zone.

Officers caught up with them at the next intersection, but Soll did a U-turn over a median strip and drove away.

He was interviewed a few days later, but denied street racing.

The court heard he has convictions for excessive speeding, drink-driving, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

His lawyer said Soll was prone to peer pressure and reverted to poor reasoning on occasions due to his low level of cognitive functioning.

Magistrate Ian McGrane said street racing could have catastrophic effects on innocent families caught up in accidents caused by excessive speed.

“You engaged in a race with another driver at up to 140km/h,” Mr McGrane said.

“You put other drivers at risk.

“This sort of conduct cannot be tolerated.”

Soll is currently serving a community corrections order for assault-related offences originally committed in 2012, but imposed on appeal last November.

He was given another 12-month community corrections order, to start in November 2018, and disqualified from driving for two years. He must also pay a $1500 bond.