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State troopers say they put the brakes on street racing in Guilford and Forsyth counties late Saturday and early Sunday by arresting 13 people and seizing 12 tricked-out vehicles, some of which could hit speeds of up to 150 mph.

Troopers, who have served 45 warrants so far, describe the undercover operation as the largest vehicle seizure ever on the East Coast.

"If there is one larger," said Sgt. Rodney Robles, who is based in Winston-Salem, "I would like to know of it."

Troopers anticipate seizing 20 additional vehicles and making more arrests this week. Those arrested so far range in age from 18 to 28.

"A lot of them had multiple charges," Robles said. "We had one with nine warrants."

Troopers say they began receiving information several months ago about racing on North Main Street in High Point and on U.S. 311 in Guilford and Forsyth. The patrol mounted an investigation using undercover officers, confidential informants and hidden cameras.

Assisted by state Alcohol Law Enforcement agents and the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, troopers began serving warrants and seizing vehicles late Saturday.

So far, officers have cited 79 violations.

Charges include prearranged racing, spontaneous racing, reckless driving and stop sign violations.

Prearranged racing and spontaneous racing are both misdemeanors punishable by revoked driving privileges, fines and jail time. But prearranged racing also includes vehicle seizure.

So far, troopers say they have found no evidence that drivers are making bets on the outcome of their races.

"I think it is just for bragging rights and thrills," Robles said. "Nobody has admitted taking any money."

But there's plenty of money involved for drivers who modify their rides by adding turbo-charged engines, oversized wheels and racing suspensions.

Cars impounded so far include three 1990s Honda Civics, which look nothing like they did when they rolled off the dealer's lot more than a decade ago.

"They like the Honda Civic," Robles said of the street racers. "That's the standard."

But the seizure list also includes vehicles that are traditionally built for speed: a 2004 Nissan 350Z, a 2004 Pontiac GTO, two 1995 BMW M3s and a 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra.

"He's got a lot of money in (that one)," Robles said of the Cobra.

"The rear tires are probably worth $500 apiece."

The seizure list also includes a 2008 Chevy TrailBlazer with a Corvette engine.

Troopers say their crackdown will make the highways safer, noting some of the races on U.S. 311 can cover up to three-quarters of a mile.

"Street racing is extremely dangerous, and it places lives at risk," Col. Walter J. Wilson Jr., commander of the Highway Patrol, said in a statement. "We will not tolerate this kind of reckless endangerment on our highways."

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com.