This, the first Australian touring car race to be run under a set of national regulations which defined a level of modification, was dominated by the three Jaguar Mark 1 drivers.
All three drivers missed their brake markers going into Windsock Corner on lap 1, with Hodgson running wide and McKay and Pitt both spinning.
Hodgson was able to regain third place within the next lap, leaving Max Volkers in fourth while Ian Geoghegan led a battle for fifth until blowing a head gasket.
Sawyer spun his car coming over the crest at Connaghans Corner, hitting the inside bank and rolling.
However, the overdrive mechanism in Pitt's car began to fail and McKay was able to retake the lead with two laps remaining.