Race 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia at Mount Panorama descended into chaos when a bizarre starting-light sequence triggered multiple collisions, forcing officials to red-flag the race seconds after it began.
With the final car still making its way to the grid, the starting lights reportedly went through their sequence unexpectedly, catching several drivers off guard.
While the front six cars remained stationary, much of the field behind launched off the line, forcing drivers to take evasive action to avoid collisions.
“Woah, woah, woah! What’s going on? Half the field has taken off,” commentator Chad Neylon exclaimed as the confusion unfolded.
“This is crazy stuff. What on earth just happened?”
Unfortunately, Kiwi Tom Bewley was among those caught up in the drama, making contact with Aaron Love’s Porsche and sustaining rear suspension damage and a puncture, ending his race before it had properly begun.
After a lengthy stoppage, the race restarted from the original grid, minus those eliminated in the incident, for a shortened two-lap sprint to the chequered flag.
Fellow Kiwi Clay Osborne avoided the opening drama and went on to secure an eighth-place finish, while Bewley was left with a disappointing DNF.
