NEW ZEALANDER Hunter Robb has converted pole position into a maiden Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia race victory in a season-opening race at Phillip Island that, at times, bordered on breathless. 

The Jones Motorsport young-gun got the pick of the starts from the front row, fenced off staunch opposition early and then watched as several tried but failed to challenge his lead before powering to victory to become the first series leader of the year.

Meanwhile, Anthony Gilbertson continued his racing comeback in style to snare a come-from-behind win in the Pro-Am class today.

Out front, Robb headed home Kamal Mrad in today’s 30-minute race while Lincoln Taylor clung onto third place – despite being under siege for most of the race after a minor off-track excursion at Siberia cost him his front splitter and the grip that comes with it when he was challenging for the race lead.

While Robb led every lap in race one, second position changed hands on four occasions between three drivers in an almighty fight for the minors today.

The Kiwi made the best start in greasy conditions while others struggled, Taylor following him across the line on the opening lap.

The latter then battled with JMR Junior Hayden Haikal, the pair running side by side at turn one before the Malaysian, who was trying to go around the outside, spun off into the gravel trap at turn one – bringing out the Safety car.

With Taylor carrying his damage, his lack of front grip saw him come under fire from anyone who could challenge him – the first being Kobi Williams, who had blazed his way to third from fifth position at the end of lap one with a series of well-executed moves.

Williams briefly held onto second and challenged Robb for the lead on the exit of turn one, before grabbing a kerb and dropping a few spots three laps from home – only to spin off the road later that lap while on the outside of turn twelve.

That elevated Taylor back to second for one lap, before Kamal Mrad charged past to grab second two laps from the flag.

He remained there to the line with Taylor clinging on to third at the line with Daniel Quimby and Diesel Thomas rounding out the top five.

Behind them came Xavier Avramides in sixth, Josh Thomas in seventh and Pro-Am winner Anthony Gilbertson in eighth.

The Queenslander had started from pole in class however slipped to third at the end of the first lap following a sluggish start.

He then worked his way back to second and closed on class leader Lachy Harburg in the mid-race Safety Car, pouncing a lap later to take the Pro-Am win, with Harburg next and Stephen Moylan third in class.

The race was filled with action throughout the field from the opening lap; a notable moment ocurring when Ruari Avern spun across the front of the field at turn four, having been wide on the exit of turn three as the field raced into Miller turn on the opening lap. Remarkably, no contact was made as the Sonic car threaded the eye of the needle through the pack.

Two races complete the opening round of the championship on Sunday at Phillip Island, both able to be watched on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo.