‘Dampener on his day’: Lamborghini impounded after retired geologist, 76, clocked at 190kph

A retired Perth geologist has had his Lamborghini impounded and his licence disqualified for six months after he was recorded speeding at 190 kilometres per hour through Western Australia’s Wheatbelt.

John Trifon Kopcheff, 76, pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit by more than 55kph.

Northam Magistrates Court heard Kopcheff was recorded doing 190kph on the Great Southern Highway at Woottating on June 5 during a joy ride with other luxury vehicle drivers.

Kopcheff’s lawyer Mark Andrews told the court his client had a “momentary brain fade” when he exceeded the speed limit in an effort to catch up with the convoy.

Mr Andrews told the court that Kopcheff had pulled over on the side of Great Southern Highway to have a drink and check a map on his phone.

Mr Andrews said the convoy of cars was nowhere to be seen when his client was ready to return to the road, which prompted Mr Kopcheff to “catch up to the car cruise”.

‘A dampener on his day’

Mr Andrews said Kopcheff travelled at excessive speeds for “a few hundred metres”.

“This incident put a dampener on his day,” Mr Andrews told the court.

The court heard Kopcheff, a former geologist and geophysicist highly regarded in his industry, had purchased the dark grey Lamborghini Gallardo some years prior as a retirement present to himself.

Magistrate Sarah Oliver described the events of June 5 as a “stupid decision”.

“If someone had pulled out in front of you, you would not have had time to stop,” she said.

“You could have killed yourself or others.”

Mr Kopcheff was ordered to pay a $1,300 fine and was disqualified from driving for six months.

His Lamborghini was impounded the day following the incident when he was questioned at his home by police.

Under WA laws cars can be impounded for driving at 45kph above the speed zone under the state’s “hooning” laws.