Burnouts dad: 'I'm not a hoon'

A Victorian father has defended teaching his young sons to perform burnouts in his car, saying it will make them better drivers when they are older.

Police have described videos posted online as 'irresponsible and reckless' after Sam Surace filmed his seven and 12-year-old sons behind the wheel.

One video, posted on YouTube, shows one son trying to blow up the engine of an old car.

In another video, his child sits in the back seat as he performs burnouts at a private track.

The 47-year-old, from Melton, insists he is no hoon.

Instead, he believes teaching children to do burnouts on private property helps them become better drivers.

"I am not teaching my sons to be hoons," he told 7News. "I am teaching my kids how to drive cars."

"I'm a 47-year-old man and I wouldn't do anything to put my kids in harm's way."

Victoria Police has slammed Mr Surace's behaviour as reckless, irresponsible and potentially dangerous, saying officers have the power to seize the car for improper use of a motor vehicle, even if it is only being used on private property.

Trauma support groups are outraged and fear he is putting his children's lives at risk.