Defending Carrera Cup champion Steven Richards has won a chaotic opening race of the season in Adelaide.

Confusion at the race start after firstly pole sitter Nick Foster broke a drive-shaft on the formation lap and pulled to the pit apron. Then as the cars took their spots on the grid, Duvashen Padayachee also had a drive-shaft let go and he pulled to the side of the second row.He crept his car to the pit apron and officials pulled his Porsche back off the racing track.

With a number of drivers under the impression the race start had been delayed, a 5-second board was shown and then the start procedure occurred. At least five cars failed to get away, while a number of drivers thinking they were on the second formation lap.

Starting effectively from pole, Richards got away cleanly and controlled the race throughout. At the finish he led home Dave Russell and Nick McBride.

The Tag Heuer Carrera Challenge appeared to go the way of Roger Lago after Tony Bates was spun by Michael Almond. Then when Bates tried to back his car onto the middle of the track he was tagged by Shane Smollen who spun.

Lago was first across the line, but received a 10-second time penalty after the timing system judged him striking the Turn 1 track limit indicator four times.

This meant the final result for the part-time racers was Bates in first, Stephen Grove second and Lago in third.

The second race of the Carrera Cup will be held Saturday morning at 9.40am local time.

VIDEO: Richards and Lago speak after the opening race

 RESULTS: Carrera Cup – Race 1 : Adelaide