The opening race of the V8 development series saw plenty of carnage in the early laps, with a crash followed by a fire near the track.
There was an even bigger prang shortly after the race resumed.
One of the cars involved then ignited, while Newcastle’s Aaren Russell bashed his way through the pack to grab second.
Fellow Hunter driver Michael Hector didn’t survive unscathed, but Russell held on to grab a well deserved place on the podium.
