150 cars set off in Undie 500 race

A convoy of 150 cars has taken off from Christchurch for the annual Undie 500 race.

Competing university students have to buy a vehicle for under $500 with a warrant, registration and a sober driver.

They must give it a themed make-over, then drive to Dunedin stopping at various pubs and driver breath-testing along the way.

Organiser James Donaldson says around 3,000 people gathered at the Canterbury University car park for a prize giving before heading off.

He says everyone is in good spirts and they have gone to big efforts to decorate their vehicles.

They include a vehicle with towers which generate lightning at 15,000 volts and a bumblebee van which swings and rotates, as well as a few "un-PC" entries.

Mr Donaldson says the competitors are expected to arrive in Dunedin at about 10pm.

- NEWSTALK ZB