German police crack down on illegal street car tuning as season begins

theguardian.comPublished: 4/18/2025

Summary

The article highlights a German police crackdown targeting illegal car racing and tuning during Carfreitag (Good Friday). Hotspots include retail car parks, alpine tunnels, and tracks like Nürburgring. Rules prohibit certain activities and enforce strict laws against unauthorized modifications and races. Enthusiasts often engage in dangerous practices such as burn-outs. officially, the police aim to address noise pollution and emissions, with penalties including fines and license revocation. Minister Herbert Reul supports car tuning but emphasizes safety. The trend originated in the US post-1990s films like "The Fast and the Furious" and has grown globally within automotive culture.