KEY POINTS:
Craig Baird made history at the Australian Grand Prix when he claimed the first ever Carrera Cup round win at the Albert Park circuit.
Baird took the win after a victory in race three, but the Kiwi champ had to scrap all the way with a determined Dean Fiore.
Fiore's second place gave him the same number of points as Baird for the round, however three race victories handed him the overall win.
David Russell took the final podium spot for the round, but it was Aaron Caratti who snared the final spot on the podium in the last race.
Max Twigg completed his best ever Carrera Cup round by taking out the Pilatus Challenge for non-professional drivers over 30, with Shaun Juniper second overall and Theo Koundouris third.
With Baird's pace throughout the entire weekend Fiore knew he had to be right on his tail - if not in front of him - off the start if he was to stand any chance of victory.
Fiore got a good start, but with Russell and Baird also getting off the line well, the three of them headed into the first turns almost side by side. However it was Baird who stole the lead with Fiore and Russell right behind him.
Baird began to edge away in front, but behind him Fiore led a five way fight for second place.
Behind Fiore and Russell were Caratti, Bryce Washington and Jonathan Webb who were all pressing hard.
Russell was the first to make a mistake and on turn 10 on the second lap he went wide, with Caratti and Washington sneaking through.
Russell fought back strongly and looked to pass Washington, but the Sonic Motor Racing driver, in an effort to stop Russell, veered across the track, spun and was out of the race.
Washington was later charged by racing stewards for breaching the driving conditions.
The safety car was called which closed the gap to Baird at the front, but when the race restarted two laps later he was good enough to drive away with the victory.
Jono Lester also drove well on his way to 13th, eight spots higher than where he started.
David Wall had a disappointing end to the weekend after James Moffat made contact with him at the start and he was forced to retire.
Moffat was given a 30 second penalty as a result, which sent him to the rear of the grid.
Fiore was one driver particularly pleased with the weekend.
"It was a good weekend for sure," he said.
"Two podiums in the first two rounds is a great way to start the championship and it gives me a good base to launch my title hopes from.
Caratti was also pleased with his round, which included his first ever Carrera Cup race win.
"I had a great start to the weekend with pole and a win in race one, but I was a bit unlucky in races two and three which set me back a bit," he said.
"So finishing fourth for the weekend was a good salvage operation and it gives me a bit more confidence heading into Wakefield Park."
Carrera Cup Australia's next round will be held from April 4 - 6.
