What was shaping as a exciting but tame opening night at Angaston, is likely to prove vital to the overall result in the Rally.

The most significant error came from Ryan Smart, who has impressed throughout the ARC series to date. On his first run through the Super stage, he ran wide down the back straight and clipped a barrier on the outside of the track. Whilst he fought to regain control he made heavy impact with a tree on the inside of the circuit.

The heavy damage to the passenger side door and B pillar, will likely see he and his sister Rebecca take no further part in the event. Early reports were there were no significant injuries from the incident.

The other telling moment came when the man who has set the pace most of the season and sits second in the Championship took a wrong turn. Scott Pedder went right instead of left at turn 2 and by the time he recovered has dropped over 12 seconds to the leaders.

Whilst not fatal to his chances, it is a large chunk of time to make up over the course of the weekend.

Meanwhile at the front, Simon Evans took the honours on the night and holds a .9 second lead over Justin Dowell with Steven Shepheard and further 2 seconds back.