David Russell overcame a jump start penalty to take victory by the smallest margin in Porsche Carrera Cup history at the Castrol Edge Gold Coast 600.
Despite receiving a five second penalty added to his race time, polesitter Russell powered on to claim the victory by just 0.0456s from Steven Richards and Nick Foster.
The podium for Richards saw him move to the top of the Carrera Cup standings by a solitary point from Warren Luff, who finished sixth behind reigning champion Craig Baird.
Russell, deputising for regular Roger Lago, emerged in the lead on the run down to the first corner with Richards and Foster in hot pursuit.
Having been hit with a jump start penalty, Russell soon began to motor at the head of the field as he edged a gap from Richards.
Meanwhile, behind Shae Davies, who leapt up to fourth spot from sixth on the grid, was being put under pressure by both Baird and Luff.
By the halfway mark Russell had only opened up a second advantage but an inspired final segment saw him build the required lead which was only secured on the final lap of the race.
Russell posted a new lap record on his final tour as he took the chequered flag from Richards and Foster.
Davies came home in fourth ahead of Baird with Luff surrounding his championship lead in sixth.
Tony Bates took the honours in the Elite Class while Stephen Grove secured the 2014 Elite Class title with a fourth place finish.
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Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Race 1 Result, Gold Coast
| Position | Number | Sponsor | Driver | Laps | Time |
| 1 | 23 | JBS Australia | David Russell (QLD) | 15 | 18:30.1294 |
| 2 | 12 | Laser Plumbing & Electrical | Steven Richards (VIC) | 15 | 18:30.1750 |
| 3 | 777 | Bob Jane T-Marts | Nick Foster (VIC) | 15 | 18:31.5083 |
| 4 | 88 | Davbridge Constructions | Shae Davies (QLD) | 15 | 18:32.6150 |
| 5 | 1 | Bonaire / Wilson Security | Craig Baird (VIC) | 15 | 18:36.7038 |
| 6 | 7 | No Second Chance/Phase 8 | Warren Luff (QLD) | 15 | 18:36.9910 |
| 7 | 27 | Childhood Cancer Association | Sam Power (SA) | 15 | 18:38.1131 |
| 8 | 26 | Copyworld | Michael Almond (SA) | 15 | 18:45.8019 |
| 9 | 45 | VIP Petfoods | Duvashen Padayachee NSW | 15 | 19:00.1283 |
| 10 | 24 | Alternative Freight Services / | Tony Bates (VIC) | 15 | 19:07.1244 |
| 11 | 56 | McGrath Estate Agents | Shane Smollen (NSW) | 15 | 19:08.0566 |
| 12 | 13 | Porsche Centre Brighton | James Bergmuller (VIC) | 15 | 19:12.2928 |
| 13 | 4 | Grove Group | Stephen Grove (VIC) | 15 | 19:13.2455 |
| 14 | 55 | Fujitsu Racing | Renee Gracie (QLD) | 15 | 19:13.6938 |
| 15 | 5 | Objective Racing | Tony Walls (QLD) | 15 | 19:16.3821 |
| 16 | 9 | Hallmarc | Marc Cini (VIC) | 15 | 19:18.0768 |
| 17 | 77 | Bob Jane T-Marts | Nick McBride (VIC) | 15 | 19:24.1307 |
| 18 | 11 | Royal Purple Oil / Garth Walde | Ash Samadi (NSW) | 15 | 19:30.9072 |
| 19 | 222 | Scott Taylor Motorsport | Scott Taylor (QLD) | 15 | 19:38.9414 |
| 20 | 10 | Finance EZI/Foxtel | Maurice Pickering (QLD) | 14 | 18:28.0712 |
| 21 | 38 | Wall Racing / Adina Apartment | Greg Taylor (NSW) | 14 | 18:40.3942 |
| 22 | 39 | Veritas | Adrian Mastronardo (NSW | 14 | 19:03.2792 |
| DNF | 22 | Phenix Motorsport | Brenton Ramsay (SA) |
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