The spikes, which police believe were specifically made to wreak havoc for passing motorists, were placed in shaded areas on a narrow dirt road where they could not be easily seen.

At least three cars were left with flat tyres after running over the spikes on Railway Road on Sunday about 2.30pm.

The tips of the spikes were black making them difficult to see in the sun.

Craig Williams was driving to Wangaratta when he hit one of the spikes.

He remembers hearing a sound like something was in the tyre, then a few kilometres down the road the tyre “just went pop”.

“You wouldn’t have been able to see them ... they were especially designed (to do the damage),” Mr Williams, of Springhurst, said.

Although the spike didn’t remain in the tyre, a large hole meant that he had to get it replaced, at a cost of about $170.

An annoyed Mr Williams said a friend who also had a tyre punctured was more frustrated.

“He only got new tyres on Wednesday,” he said.

The friend, who also had his front passenger tyre punctured, had to pay about $300 to get it replaced.

Mr Williams said every time he drives down the road now he worries the same thing might happen.

“I’m a bit more wary when I drive down that road now,” he said.

“I just slow down and look for them.

“Nothing like this has happened here before.”

Sen-Constable Steve Ireland, of Rutherglen police, said some effort had been put into making the spikes.

Parts of the rusted metal, possibly old fencing, had been ground down with the ends painted black.

“They’ve definitely been purposefully built to do the job quite well,” Sen-Constable Ireland said.

If anyone has information they are urged to contact Rutherglen police on (02) 6032 9612.