Updated March 16, 2018 18:25:45

Photo: Adem Arpaci was found guilty of culpable driving causing death over the drag race. (ABC News: Karen Percy)

A man who baited another driver into a drag race which ended in a deadly fiery crash off Melbourne's EJ Whitten bridge has been sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Adem Arpaci, 23, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of culpable driving causing death over the crash that killed driver Harley Churchill, 19, and his 18-year-old passenger Ivana Cloranidis in January 2016.

Arpaci had baited the ute driver into a drag race on the Western Ring Road which ended when one of Mr Churchill's tyres blew out, causing his ute to crash through the barrier at the side of the road, become airborne and burst into flames.

Both men had attended a series of illegal burnout gatherings called the 'Northern Skids' earlier in the night.

Mr Churchill was on his way home with Ms Cloranidis when he began drag racing with Arpaci at speeds of more than 180 kilometres per hour.

Witnesses told police the pair was weaving in and out of traffic, overtaking at high speeds and driving side-by-side.

In sentencing, County Court Judge Frances Hogan said it was miraculous more people were not killed or seriously injured.

"You were in a hyped-up state after having been for the first time to the Northern Skids event and were looking for a race," she said.

"When people like you and Mr Churchill embark on such extremely risky behaviour ... you leave no margin for error."

Arpaci was arrested a week after the crash when he handed himself in to police.

Photo: The ute burst into flames after coming off the EJ Whitten Bridge. (Fairfax Media: Simon O'Dwyer)

He had earlier lied to detectives about his involvement and was found guilty of perjury for giving a false statement.

Judge Hogan found he was remorseful but still minimised his legal responsibility.

She said he did not have to crash into anyone to be partly responsible for the crash, because without Arpaci there would not have been a drag race.

"You have made a gross error of judgement on this night," Judge Hogan said.

"The fallout ... is immense in terms of human tragedy."

Arpaci will be eligible for parole in nine years and six months.

Topics: courts-and-trials, road, crime, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted March 16, 2018 17:49:03