A 29-year-old Sunshine Coast man has been charged with multiple offences after he allegedly drove a "dangerously modified clown car" through the drive-through of a fast-food chain in Caloundra.
It is alleged Sam Eyles purchased the vehicle, which had previously been used to perform stunts at a circus, and modified it further.
Mr Eyles, of Image Flat, is facing three counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts each of careless driving and drive with passenger unrestrained, as well as one count each of permit drive defective vehicle, drive defective vehicle, drive unrestrained and passenger fail to wear seatbelt.
Police alleged Mr Eyles also performed several other dangerous manoeuvres on separate occasions and uploaded videos to social media that have been viewed millions of times.
Police said after viewing the videos officers issued 70 traffic infringement notices totalling a combined total of $27,800 in fines and 99 demerit points to nine other people.
Mr Eyles is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 12.
'Mechanically defective'
Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol officer Darryl Campbell said the car was mechanically defective in a way where its centre of balance was thrown off to enable it to do front wheelies.
"[The vehicle is allegedly] so grossly defective and very dangerous to be on the road," he said.
"It's unregistered, it's uninsured, and it's unroadworthy.
"The welded springs on the front of the vehicle are only there to bounce the vehicle back to its four wheels."
Other "stunts" allegedly performed in the ex-circus car included repeated burnouts, front wheel-stands and, in one instance, a tug-of-war between the car and a group of men holding a snatch strap.
Online investigation
The vehicle's fuel system, seen by the ABC, consisted of a jerry can and rubber pipe cut into the floor of the car.
Police allege their investigation into the man's online activity revealed instructional videos on how to modify vehicles that were broadcast to thousands of subscribers.
On September 30, a search warrant was executed at Image Flat and officers seized multiple items.
Police and the Department of Transport and Main Roads conducted an inspection of the vehicles at the address, which were seized for allegedly being grossly defective and noncompliant.
Senior Constable Campbell said the ex-circus car would be crushed to ensure it would not be used again.
Senior Constable Campbell said more should be done to filter what can be shared online.
"The videos alone that I've seen are dangerous driving … yet these people are getting likes and profiting from this, they're selling merchandise.
Police said members of the public made complaints at the time the videos were released and assisted with the investigation.
"[The public] are fed up with these sorts of antics," Senior Constable Campbell said.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact authorities.
