The grand national midget car series has been blown wide open after the top guns of the Western Springs ranks failed to score points in Saturday night's opening round.
Already out of contention is defending champion Michael Kendall, who crashed out in a start-line pile-up and suffered a broken shoulder blade.
The injury will keep him out of action for at least the next round of the series this weekend.
Graham Standring was halted by a broken diff and Shayne Alach's move through the pack ended when he spun on water dropped from his own radiator.
Entirely out of contention in the five race series is young Kiwi test team driver Justin Insley, who had mechanical problems and failed to qualify for the 16-car series.
Grabbing the top spot in the series after a winning drive in Saturday's 15-lapper was Lance Beale, who has returned to the sport after a two-year break. He took the lead on the fourth lap and scored a clear win ahead of former national champion Matt Thompson.
Alach then looked to have the 25-lap feature race under control but four laps from home a broken driveshaft halted his run, handing the lead to Lucas Scott, who fended off a determined challenge from Mark Browne.
The other highlight of the midget car competition was a track record by Michael Kendall in his Coca-Cola series qualifying heat. He sliced 1.8s off a 10-lap record that has stood for four years.
