Steven Richards has won from the front in the opening race of the Carrera Cup at Mount Panorama and in the process closed to within three points of the championship lead of Warren Luff.
After getting the jump from the start Richards led the field up Mountain Straight with Luff and David Russell sitting in behind.
As the field headed up towards the Cutting Tony Bates was sent sideways after making contact with Duvashen Padayachee. The following cars of Marc Cini, James Bergmuller and Ash Samadi all sustained heavy damage and were out of the race.
After the Safety Car was called back to the pits on lap #4, Richards held the lead with Luff coming under plenty of pressure from Russell. Two laps later Russell made a move at Hell Corner and they went side-by-side up Mountain Straight. Luff held the line at Castrol Griffins Bend and this allowed Nick Foster to move in. Out of the Cutting and positions were maintained, but it allowed Richards to gap his pursuers.
Due to the Safety Car the race was called two laps later. Due to the shorter race distance only half points were awarded.
Elite Class front runner Shane Smollen made a great start and that proved even more valuable as he was ahead of the lap #1 accident. Smollen winning Elite from Stephen Grove and Tony Walls.
Race #2 in the Carrera Cup is from 1525 tomorrow.
VIDEO: Richards and Smollen speak after the opening race
Race 1
| Pos | No. | Sponsor | Driver |
| 1 | 12 | Laser Plumbing & Electrical | Steven Richards (VIC) |
| 2 | 7 | No Second Chance/Phase 8 | Warren Luff (QLD) |
| 3 | 23 | JBS Australia | David Russell (QLD) |
| 4 | 777 | Bob Jane T-Marts | Nick Foster (VIC) |
| 5 | 27 | Childhood Cancer Association | Sam Power (SA) |
| 6 | 1 | Bonaire / Wilson Security | Craig Baird (VIC) |
| 7 | 29 | Onsite Rental Racing | Michael Patrizi (SA) |
| 8 | 88 | Davbridge Constructions | Shae Davies (QLD) |
| 9 | 26 | Copyworld | Michael Almond (SA) |
| 10 | 77 | Bob Jane T-Marts | Nick McBride (VIC) |
| 11 | 56 | McGrath Estate Agents | Shane Smollen (NSW) |
| 12 | 45 | VIP Petfoods | Duvashen Padayachee (NSW) |
| 13 | 4 | Grove Group | Stephen Grove (VIC) |
| 14 | 5 | Objective Racing | Tony Walls (QLD) |
| 15 | 55 | Fujitsu Racing | Renee Gracie (QLD) |
| 16 | 22 | Phenix Motorsport | Brenton Ramsay (SA) |
| 17 | 222 | Scott Taylor Motorsport | Scott Taylor (QLD) |
| 18 | 39 | Veritas | Adrian Mastronardo (NSW) |
| DNF | 11 | Royal Purple Oil / Garth Walde | Ash Samadi (NSW) |
| DNF | 24 | Alternative Freight Services / | Tony Bates (VIC) |
| DNF | 13 | Porsche Centre Brighton | James Bergmuller (VIC) |
| DNF | 9 | Hallmarc | Marc Cini (VIC) |
Discussion about this post