Motorsport: Kiwi duo dominate in Melbourne

Scott McLaughlin leads teammate Fabian Coulthard at the Australian Grand Prix. Photo / Mark Horsburgh

DJR Team Penske duo Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard have steered clear of on-track drama to dominate the opening Supercars races at the Australian Grand Prix.

McLaughlin claimed race one ahead of his teammate, with Coulthard reversing the order in Friday's second race at Albert Park.

The Ford pair's dominance was a welcome sight for fans of the blue oval as well as anyone concerned after the season-opening Clipsal 500 that the year might turn into a Red Bull Racing procession.

Series leader and reigning champion Shane van Gisbergen was without luck, settling for sixth in race one and crashing out in race two.

Firebrand Falcon driver Chaz Mostert turned the Kiwi around in an ill-judged overtaking move, with an unsighted James Moffat colliding with the Red Bull man.

Mostert, who claimed third in the first race, served a pit lane penalty for the shunt, with Nissan's Michael Caruso completing the race two podium.

The day's wildest racing happened behind the DJR Team Penske Fords in the opening race.

Nick Percat lost control of his Commodore at the end of the main straight, spectacularly crashing into Lee Holdsworth at high speed.

Both men walked away shaken but unhurt.

Percat, in his rainbow-coloured Holden, ended up in the wall, slowed only by the gravel trap, while Holdsworth spun out dramatically before coming to a stop on the tarmac.

Both drivers were unable to compete in the second race, with Percat unlikely to be seen again on the track until next month's meet in Tasmania.