Lundy 500 still uncertain

The organiser of a car rally timed to coincide with the anniversary of the murders of Christine and Amber Lundy says he will gauge public opinion before deciding whether the stunt will go ahead.

Victoria University student magazine Salient is planning to recreate the Petone to Palmerston North dash allegedly made by double killer Mark Lundy in 2000.

Police claimed Lundy made the return journey, reaching speeds of up to 150kmh, and committed the murders in less than three hours, but many have questioned whether it was achievable.

Lundy is serving a 20-year non-parole jail term for the murders and is now preparing a second appeal against his conviction.

The event, labelled the Lundy 500 "in a similar vein to the defunct Undie 500", was designed to draw attention to inconsistencies in the New Zealand legal system, said Salient editor Jackson Wood.

The event is planned for August 29, the ninth anniversary of the deaths of Christine and Amber. Vehicles are invited to make the journey, obeying the speed limit.

"We're still gauging public opinion as to whether we should go ahead with this," Mr Wood said.

"If it becomes obvious that the protest isn't welcome, and people are at risk, then we'll call if off."

He said he had received an email from a member of the victims' family and hoped to talk to them soon.

However, the stunt has met with a wall of opposition from police, the university, and the victims' family.

Mrs Lundy's brother Glenn Weggery, who found the bodies the morning after the killings, has called for the stunt to be cancelled.

"It shows a complete lack of respect. It's the victims being victimised all over again," he told the Dominion Post.

If it goes ahead he plans to confront the students. "They'll be getting a few choice words."

Victoria University chief operating officer for the vice-chancellor's office Andrew Simpson said the event was inappropriate, offensive and the university did not support it, though it could not prevent students from participating.

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor described the Lundy 500 as abhorrent. It showed "incredible disrespect for the people who loved Amber and Christine Lundy. I challenge them to think about the impact of their actions."

Police are also critical of the rally.

"The whole thing is in very poor taste," Palmerston North city area commander Inspector Pat Hancock said.

Mr Wood said Salient had no official opinion on Lundy's guilt or innocence.

"I realise that the family and people who were close to them (the victims) might not like it but we believe that the issue is a bit wider than that," he told Radio New Zealand.

"If they are offended we offer our sincere apologies but we hope that they understand what we are doing here."

- NZPA