Crash victim may have been racing

A young man killed in a high-speed car crash on Auckland's Northwestern Motorway may have been racing another car.

Kawati Ross Timoti, 22, died in the wreckage of his Nissan Skyline, which smashed into a power transformer at the Patiki Rd interchange about 9pm on Tuesday night.

Witnesses believe the car may have been racing and police have appealed for anyone who was onthe motorway at that time to come forward with what they saw.

A red vehicle with a damaged bumper was seen nearby at the time of the crash and its driver has not come forward, despite police appeals.

Senior Constable Karl Bevin of the Waitemata serious crash unit told the Herald last night officers were making inquiries and needed sightings of the second vehicle.

He said the red car was a "possibility" of being involved in the race.

The crash knocked out power to lights on the lanes into the city and caused the closure of the motorway for seven hours.

Mr Timoti was travelling westbound from the city when he lost control of his car and veered across the lanes.

Anyone with any information should call the serious crash unit on (09) 481 0300 or ring Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.