The massive startline crash in the first leg of V8 Supercars' Surfers Paradise event has prompted calls to prevent international drivers taking the starts.
The Gold Coast 600 now sees each V8 regular joined by a co-driver from elsewhere in motorsports. Last weekend's races were won by four-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais, sharing with V8 points leader Jamie Whincup, and ex-Formula 1 driver Mika Salo, who paired up with leading V8 Ford exponent Will Davison.
Saturday's race took three attempts to get underway. IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe's slow start caused a chain reaction which also involved Tonio Liuzzi, Simon Pagenaud and Ricky Taylor, with the latter launched into a violent roll. Nicolas Minassian then stalled at the restart and was collected by Franck Montagny, prompting a second stoppage.
Pagenaud's Stone Brothers Ford partner Lee Holdsworth reckons leaving starts to the guests is a recipe for carnage.
"That's what happens when all the international drivers start the race," he said. "It wasn't Simon's fault – he got a ripper start. But a few of the guys up the front got shockers as they are not used to starting these cars."
Pagenaud agreed, saying: "Unfortunately, doing standing starts with guys that are not used to it is creating issues every year. It's a shame but starting where we did got us into trouble."
Liuzzi felt the Surfers track configuration was a bigger problem then the drivers' V8 experience level.
"It was a shame and a bit of a mess, but that's what happens on a narrow track," said the former F1 driver.