Mostert masters the wet to claim first ever win in Surfers Paradise

Chaz Mostert leads

Supercheap Auto Racing’s Chaz Mostert has finally broken the drought on his home track, winning this afternoon’s 300km opening race of the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 and racing himself right back into championship contention.

It was a spectacular victory in the wet for Gold Coast resident Mostert, who started from pole and along with his co-driver Steve Owen mastered the drenched street circuit in front of a large crowd that was not deterred by the weather.

"This track has been kicking me year after year, so I really wanted to get a surfboard [race trophy] this year, but it's even better to get the win," Mostert said.

"So I would've settled for third, but the car was really lit today. Steve got taken out but we got back up there, he was doing an awesome job."

Mostert leads thru chicane

Mostert’s third victory of 2017 was capped off by Prodrive Racing teammate, Cam Waters, who steered his Monster Energy Falcon to second place alongside co-driver Richie Stanaway.

"Absolutely rapt for the team, one-two. It's good for our Enduro Cup campaign. Richie did an awesome job at the start to get me up to the front and paced it really good," Waters said.

Another Gold Coast driver, Tim Slade secured his first podium finish of the year by claiming third alongside co-driver Andre Heimgartner who was a late replacement for Ash Walsh at the Bathurst 1000.

Heimgartner dominated the race early to get the Freightliner Holden to the lead, but a mishap where a wheel wasn't secured properly in pit lane pushed the Brad Jones Racing outfit back a few placings.

Co-Driver Owen (L) and Mostert

"We had that drama in the pits but Chaz was pretty speedy so not sure if we could've held him off, but that's awesome," Slade said.

Eight-time race winner on the Gold Coast, Jamie Whincup, started from second but finished sixth.

That result coupled with Fabian Coulthard’s 19th placing, sees Whincup jump to the top of the overall championship standings with just five races to go in 2017.

There were a number of incidents and near misses in the wet, with the Safety Car called upon twice.

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