Police used drone footage to help investigate the car fire, after authorities were called to the Hunter Economic Zone at Pelaw Main about 1.15pm on Saturday.

Central Hunter highway patrol officers allege the driver, a 26-year-old from Wallsend, admitted to performing a burnout “lasting no less than 60 seconds, whilst there was a group of between 15 to 30 people, and an organised cycling event in the immediate vicinity”.

Police said the disintegration of the car’s tyres had ruptured the vehicles fuel tank, and fuel was ignited by sparking from the steel rims.

The man was issued a court attendance notice for driving in a manner dangerous and will appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court on June 8.