Second straight victory for Mark Winterbottom

Mark Winterbottom claimed his second straight V8 Supercars victory in the first race at Perth. The Ford driver started on hard tyres and pitted for soft tyres a couple of laps before main race rival Jamie Whincup, enabling him to extend the lead and win the race.
“We went in blind … we hadn’t been out in the dry, but the car was a jet and it was a ripper job by the boys,” said Winterbottom.

While finishing second, Whincup claimed the lead of the championship from Will Davison as the Ford driver got involved in an accident between David Reynolds and Garth Tander.
“It’s a bit too early to be talking about the championship … I’m sick of being the bridesmaid to be honest,” said Whincup.

Tander, who had pole position, ended his race on the first lap after contact with Reynolds. The contact between the two resulted in Davison spinning in to Tander, with an imminent retirement for Tander and suspension damage for Davison.

Craig Lowndes claimed third and the final podium position in the race ahead of Lee Holdsworth and James Courtney. Tim Slade crossed the line as sixth ahead of Shane van Gisbergen, Michael Caruso and Rick Kelly. Jason Bright was final driver in to the top ten.