At least 17 people, including two children, were injured at a sports car rally in the Polish city of Poznan after a luxury vehicle skidded into a group of spectators.

At least four people are reportedly seriously injured following the crash, which happened just seconds after the driver pulled away from the start.

The accident occurred at the beginning of the three-day Gran Turismo Polonia event which draws amateur motor enthusiasts from all over Europe. At least 150 luxury cars are taking part in the event.

Footage of the incident shows how the driver of the yellow sports car appears to struggle to turn the vehicle into the start position.

A further amateur video, used by Russian news media, shows just seconds after the driver accelerated away from the start, the vehicle loses control crashing through a crowd of spectators beside the track.

Quoted by La Late News, Joseph Klimczewski, head of Highway Patrol in Poznan, told local news that the driver simply didn’t know how to operate his car.

Police spokesman Andrzej Borowiak said police were questioning the Norwegian motorist involved in the accident.

Polish news service Wypadek said, according to police, the driver was sober.