KEY POINTS:
Boy racers turned out in force to farewell their friend Scott Finn in Tauranga yesterday.
About 30 cars with mags and messages saying "RIP Scotty" drove in convoy with hazard lights flashing to pay tribute to the 20-year-old, who was killed in an illegal street race on Saturday.
The convoy departed from the Holy Trinity Church in central Tauranga, where more than 1000 people, mostly youths, gathered for his funeral.
Mr Finn was killed instantly while acting as a starter for the race between two cars on an industrial road in Mt Maunganui. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, who were allegedly driving the cars, have been charged with his manslaughter.
The church was packed to overflowing for the one-hour service, which was conducted amid a heavy police presence.
Mr Finn's family carried out the coffin as plainclothes and uniformed officers sat in marked and unmarked cars in the surrounding streets.
White balloons were released as the hearse, flanked by two modified vehicles, prepared to leave for the crematorium.
Boys in black jeans and girls in black mini-skirts hurried to their cars, which were followed by police as they gathered at a nearby park to form the convoy.
Among the group were members of Game Over, a street racing club which Mr Finn had recently joined.
Heavy traffic and rain disrupted the procession, leaving flashing hazard lights to identify the cars in the convoy.
Earlier in the day, Mr Finn's friends paid tribute to him with another convoy along Waihi Rd, and in the evening, planned a drive-by of the scene on Aviation Ave where he died.
Mr Finn was the youngest of three children and an uncle to four nieces and nephews.
