Undie 500 still keen on region

Undie 500 organisers have approached another Marlborough landowner as they look to bring the controversial student car rally to the region later this year.

Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan, of Blenheim, told The Marlborough Express a third Marlborough landowner had been approached by the rally's organisers, the University of Canterbury's engineering society.

The society's investigations into running the rally to Marlborough were revealed in March, after being told they were no longer welcome in traditional destination Dunedin after the event descended into violence over the last four years.

Engineering society president Michael Cook said at the time locations around the country were being considered, but Marlborough was a "lovely place" and as a result a "definite opportunity".

Mr Cook said organisers did not want a repeat of what had happened in Dunedin and wanted to hold a concert and other events in a rural area so that students would not go into Blenheim itself, but that was not enough to convince Mr Sloan, Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman, the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology's student association or Drug Arm Blenheim.

All said the Undie 500 was not welcome.

Mr Cook told The Express on Tuesday the society was still considering Marlborough, but would not say if they had approached any more landowners than the two the public was already aware of.

Seddon entrepreneur Peter Yealands and an unnamed landowner were previously approached, but had turned down the students.

Mr Sloan said on Tuesday he was aware of a third landowner being approached by the society.

He would not name the landowner, but said the site was "well south" of Blenheim.

"We're grateful that landowner has been socially responsible and not entertained these people."

He was aware the Undie 500 organisers were seeking to hire a professional events company to run the event, but warned them the police would oppose any application for the required liquor licence.

"And, should any event go ahead without a licence police would be looking at shutting it down."

Mr Cook said they wanted professional help so the event would be safe and "run very, very well".

The society did not have a deadline for a decision on the future of the rally, but he expected that would take place in the next couple of months.

- The Marlborough Express

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