Michael Clemente went lights-to-flag in the TCR Australia Series opener at Winton Motor Raceway, surviving an onslaught from points leader Bailey Sweeny to win race one.
The Cupra driver got a clean getaway and edged out to a handy lead while the chaos unfolded behind him as Ben Bargwanna and Aaron Cameron slid through the grass.
Sweeny, who started second but fell to third initially, fought his way back past HMO Customer Racing teammate Josh Buchan on lap three but by then Clemente was the best part of two seconds clear.
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Lap by lap, the Hyundai driver ate into the gap before coming within striking distance with a handful of laps to go.
Ultimately, a mistake by Sweeny on the penultimate corner released all the pressure and allowed Clemente to secure victory.
“The car was quick, it was good fun chasing down the Cupra,” Sweeny told Stan Sport’s Greg Rust.
“I was trying my best to put him (off). He was quick. I did whatever I could to get him off his game.”
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With second, Sweeny retains his series lead. Clemente, meanwhile, made big strides forward to come from fifth to second in the standings.
It marked the second win in two rounds for Clemente after scoring his first at Phillip Island.
“That thing is quick, credit to Bailey,” said Clemente.
“He’s driving that like a weapon like he usually does. I got a decent start. I thought I could kind of manage but he came in really hot and I was giving it everything.
“It’s going to be a good race tomorrow.”
The most notable casualty in the race was Aaron Cameron, who came into the third round of the series sitting third in the standings.
A moment at the first hairpin on lap two saw him skate through the mud and force him to pit, eventually finishing last.
Cox has dropped to third equal in the standings after he finished fifth, behind Zac Soutar and Josh Buchan.
The reverse top 10 means Tom Oliphant will start race two from pole position with third-generation racer Clay Richards to share the front row.
Race two of the TCR Australia Series starts at 12:30pm on Sunday before race three at 4:10pm.
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