This format changed for the Gold Coast 600 which became a two-driver endurance with two 300 km races one on saturday and one on sunday starting in 2010.

Up front Lowndes out-launched the front row pair of Jason Bargwanna and Rick Kelly to jump into the race lead before the Safety car appeared to clean up the mess left by the opening lap.

Will Davison dropped to the tail of the field with damage to the front right corner of the car after clipping a dislodged tyre bundle at one of the many chicanes.

The car pitted and the HRT crew began to replace the damaged right side steering arm.

The following lap Michael Caruso had a major engine failure, dumping fluid over Seek Turn Three.

The sting was the second to last lap retirement of Jamie Whincup, bouncing off the walls exiting Falken Tyres Turn at the top of the circuit.