Valentino Rossi leads after frantic Bathurst 12 Hour start

The Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour is off to a wild start, with four separate incidents in the first two hours of the race.

Supercars driver Thomas Randle led the field to green after teammate Cam Waters took pole in yesterday’s Pirelli Pole Battle.

But just like last year, the intensity kicked up from the very start, with the top three front runners going three-wide down Mountain Straight on the opening lap in the dark.

While drivers escaped the opening lap without issue, it didn’t take long for the first drama to arise.

The first Safety Car of the day came when the field’s sole Ford Mustang from Haupt Racing Team struck wildlife on Conrod Straight. Driver Christopher Mies walked away from the incident and was subsequently released from the Medical Centre.

Fellow incidents involving the KTM of David Crampton at Murray’s Corner, the Audi of Mark Rosser at McPhillamy Park, and the IRC GT of Daniel Stutterd at The Chase.

Now in the third hour of the race, Valentino Rossi with BMW leads the Corvette of Alexander Sims, with Chaz Mostert third in the pole sitting Mercedes.

CLICK HERE for Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour live timing