Auckland driver Simon Evans and Shane van Gisbergen came away with the round win as new winners stormed into the limelight in the Rush Security Taupo 400.
After winning the opening two races Evans and van Gisbergen had to settle for third in the final race at the opening round of the BNT NZ SuperTourers.
The final race went to debutant NZST winners Mitch Cunningham and Australian co-driver Cameron Waters who prevailed courtesy of a canny strategy call.
Ant Pedersen and Jonny Reid were second in the International Motorsport Ford.
The final race was shortened from 46 to 23 laps after a delay caused by a bizarre incident involving a banner on the pit straight.
High winds saw the banner flapping so violently it caused two poles to crash down across the track.
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All runners started on slick tyres but rain began to fall on the warm-up lap and Cunningham made the brave decision to pit before the start to fit wet tyres.
“We rolled the dice – we had nothing to lose,” Cunningham said.
A quick driver change saw Van Gisbergen seize the lead and initially he pulled away, but later his car slowed as Waters caught and passed him.
The Australian opened a safe gap and brought the Ford home first.
“I’m rapt with the win,” Cunningham said.
“It’s been a long time between drinks.”
Second overall for the round were Pedersen and Reid.
Andre Heimgartner and Paul Morris were third overall after claiming seventh in the final heat.
Fourth after the trio of races were young Aucklander Richard Moore with Supercar co-driver Tim Slade.
In the second heat earlier in the day, Evans fresh from his maiden category in the first race, and van Gisbergen led most of the way with the latter charged with the starting duties.
All runners bolted on wet tyres for the start on the damp track which dried as the race progressed with Murphy and Perkins coming home in a time shortened race for second.
Backing up their podium from the opening race, Heimgartner and Morris were third ahead of the Ford of Pedersen and Reid.
Mark Gibson and John McIntyre were fifth ahead of the Holden of Richard Moore and Tim Slade.
“The track was wet and dry so it was hard to judge the grip. It was good to be driving on a nice wet tyre,” van Gisbergen said.
The series now prepares for the second leg of the 2014-2015 championship with the Waikato 400 at Hampton Downs from November 1-2.
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