David Wall wins dramatic opening Carrera Cup race at Mount Panorama

Wall started in fifth but watched race leaders James Moffat, Dale Wood and Michael Almond all come undone ahead of him.

“I chose my battles during the race and chose to be fast when we could be, let the race unfold a little bit, and it ended up coming our way,” Wall said.

“Mof [Moffat] did a mega job to get pole for the team, that’s four straight. I feel like we’re in a good spot.

“I think once it rubbers up by Sunday morning it will just get faster and faster.”

Moffat had a sluggish start from pole and fellow front row starter Wood was on the scene to take full advantage and lead the field up Mountain Straight.

The pole sitter was ready to launch an attack down the inside of the chase but made light contact with Wood, enough to make him lose control coming into the left hand bend.

Moffat punted Wood onto two wheels and the pair ran off the road. The latter found himself stuck in the sand trap, triggering a safety car.

Racing resumed on lap four with Jordan Love leading Almond in a Bob Jane T Marts racing 1-2.

Almond got by his teammate in an entertaining dice through The Cutting before Love lost spots to both Wall and Jaxon Evans several laps later.

Disaster struck for Almond when he lost control on turn three. Roger Lago then contacted his stationary car, forcing both to retire.

Wall led the field out of the second safety car period and held his lead through to the finish, seeing off a charging Evans who had started in ninth.

Love held out Cameron Hill in the battle for third.