The Otago Daily Times spoke to about a dozen students from the University of Canterbury as they collected their vehicles before heading back to Christchurch yesterday morning.
Many were unaware of the scale of disorder that unfolded on Castle St, having spent the night in city bars instead.
Those who did venture on to Castle St said they were not involved in bottle-throwing, and were shocked at the behaviour they witnessed.
However, all agreed the car rally should continue, citing the event's 20-year history and the effort involved in preparing the decorated vehicles.
Engineering student Charlie Smith (19), who spent both nights on Castle St, said the drive south to Dunedin "goes pretty smoothly" and students received a positive reception at bars along the route.
The event's long tradition meant it should continue, he believed.
"We are doing engineering and that's why the engineering society organises it."
He said many students involved in the rally worried bad behaviour could impact on future career prospects, with the police ruling out diversion for offenders.
However, geology student Chris Lusty (19), who also spent both nights on Castle St, said alcohol changed things.
"You have no intention of doing something when you are sober. It's just when you are drunk all your morals go out the window.
"I just hope there's no footage of me doing anything I shouldn't have been. I don't know - I don't recall anything."
Civil engineering student Tom Glenn (22) said he spent the night in bars and had hoped rain earlier in the day would dampen students' enthusiasm for trouble on Castle St.
"But obviously it didn't."
His friend, mechanical engineering student Alex Raue (21), said news of Saturday night's disorder and arrests - which he was unaware of - was "disappointing".
"It's just a [bad] mentality that's around at the moment. Everyone was expecting a riot, so a riot happens. It's self-fulfilling."
Mechanical engineering student Kieran McCartin (22) said the trip to Dunedin was a chance to see friends, and believed disorder could be fixed by staging an organised event on Saturday night.
Law and politics student Emma Thomson (20) said the Undie 500 was "awesome", and was full of praise for Ensoc for organising it.
She had visited Castle St for 20 minutes before leaving the area.
"There's no point looking for trouble because you know what's going to happen there. I just went to town and had a good time.
