Bikie violence explodes at Perth drag race
A violent brawl between two of Perth's most notorious bikie gangs at a drag race has seen three Finks patch members hospitalised, including one man who was shot and another who had three fingers sliced off.
The clash erupted at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana yesterday morning between the Coffin Cheaters and members of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang, which is establishing a chapter in WA.
WA Police spokeswoman Ros Weatherall said one man presented himself to Fremantle hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg and head injuries between midday and 1pm, while a second presented to the hospital with head injuries.
A third man presented to Royal Perth Hospital about the same time with multiple stab wounds. Police said three of his fingers were severed during the attack.
He needed help from first aid volunteers at the scene to staunch the blood flow but quickly left with other patch members, who drove him to hospital where he had surgery to reattach the fingers.
All three men underwent surgery overnight.
Detectives from the gang crime squad were last night trying to piece together the events that led up to the violent incident. Police were given an anonymous tip-off to the brawl, which is believed to have occurred at 1.30pm, but arrived some time after 2pm, after the injured Finks members had fled the scene.
The fight took place during the Harley Street Bike drag racing event, which pitted a range of enhanced motorcycles against each other in a competitive drag racing contest.
Police this afternoon revealed the brawl took place inside the complex, near the area where the bikes are prepared for their races. The loud noise in the area likely masked the sound of the gunshot during the fight.
The event attracts thousands of spectators each year and was described by organisers on the website as being a sunny and successful event.
None of the men are co-operating with authorities but it is understood that police are at the hospitals, where two Finks members remain. The third man was already discharged by Fremantle Hospital since this morning.
Tensions have been high between members of the Finks and WA's biggest bikie gang, the Coffin Cheaters.
A feud between the gangs was sparked after the Coffin Cheaters in January 2008 expelled high-profile member Troy Mercanti, who then helped the Finks set up a WA chapter.
Mercanti is currently in jail for assault.
Motorcomplex spokesman David Christison said management were aware of one man being injured during the brawl. He received preliminary treatment for lacerations from a qualified first aider but once approached by his colleagues he walked away and left the complex in a private vehicle without seeking further medical treatment.
He said venue operators were unaware of any other people being injured or of any shots being fired.
A manager of a prominent Perth motorcycle shop, who was at the drags that night, said most people were taken by surprise about news of the incident.
"I didn't see anything at all," he said.
Finks New South Wales spokesman Ferret refused to comment on last night's incident.
Club Deroes and United Motorcycle Council of WA spokesman Eric Meehan said: "Nobody knows what's going on. I'm a bit stunned myself."
Club Deroes had a marquee at the event but Mr Meehan said none of the so-called "outlaw" motorcycle clubs raced in the drags.
He said while Finks members were identified as being injured in the brawl, there had still been no confirmation that any other clubs were involved.
"It has nothing to do with the UMCWA," he said.
He said the council was more concerned with the name and shame laws coming into effect because they would affect every WA citizen.
"Police already have heaps of laws that deal with what's going on (criminal matters) but with the name and shame prohibition notices repeat offenders will have to stop associating with certain people," Mr Meehan said.
"This is going to affect all of you, not just bikies. We've been trying to tell the public this for past 12 months.
"If they bring in these laws it is going to affect everybody they can't bring in laws just to victimise a minority group of people. Family businesses will go down."
A UMCWA spokeswoman said a meeting of the clubs scheduled for tonight would still be going ahead.
However the Finks will not be represented at the meeting because they do not have a member on the council.