Watch the 'weird' moment go-karters in Super Mario costumes drove through Palmerston Road in Southsea

Onlookers were astounded as the group was filmed weaving through Palmerston Road on Sunday night, emulating the classic video game Mario Kart.

They appeared to be travelling on battery-powered karts fitted with colour-changing lights to illuminate their paths.

Four of them were dressed as fan favourites Mario, Luigi, Wario and Toad.

Restaurant manager Daniel Balmbra from Southsea 28, caught the bizarre encounter on video just before 9pm, after meeting friends for a drink.

He said: ‘Most of the time you see odd things in Portsmouth you think to yourself “that’s fine, that’s normal” and you carry on walking – but this was pretty weird.

‘We shouted out “what on earth are you guys doing” and they just shouted back making funny Mario Kart noises.

‘The reaction was the same from passers-by all the way down the street. People thought it was absolutely hilarious.’

The costume-clad karters earned similar bewilderment online after Daniel’s video featured on the Instagram page Spotted Pompey.

Portsmouth influencer Demi Jones, known for her appearance on Love Island in 2019, commented: ‘Whaaa I want to do this.’

Another user said: ‘They are living everyone’s dream’.

Meanwhile another, in a direct proposition to the racers, added: ‘If you guys are reading this, invite me next time – thanks.’

The video has now been viewed more than 18,000 times.

You can watch it at the top of this story.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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