Slade: 'The gap closed' in Taupō start clash

Tim Slade was "super disappointed" to crash out off the line with Taupō pole-sitter Cam Waters, saying the "gap closed" on the run to Turn 1.

The #23 PremiAir Nulon Camaro was sent into the inside wall after colliding with Waters, with Will Brown creating a three-wide off the line.

While Brown led the race and Waters resumed with minor damage, Slade — who started fourth — was out on the spot, triggering the first bp charge Safety Car of the race.

Slade had made a fast start, but the gap closed between Brown and Waters, sending the PremiAir Chevrolet and Tickford Mustang towards the wall.

Speaking on the broadcast, Slade bemoaned missing out after a fast start, but reiterated "there was a gap there."

“I'm super disappointed,” Slade said.

“The team has been awesome and then car has been really good. I hate to see it end that way.

"I don't know, in hindsight you get out of the throttle and follow the car that's in front of you. But you're a racer. Like I said, I had a really good start and there was a gap there, and then there wasn't.”

Tickford Racing co-owner Rod Nash, however, suggested the PremiAir Nulon driver was at fault in the incident, with Waters forced to fight back through the field.

"A bit monumental seeing we hadn't even made it to Turn 1," Nash said on the broadcast.

"It's pretty wet out there, I would have thought a little bit more common sense would have prevailed on the opening start.

“But anyway, there was a lot going on there with cars slow off the mark. The contact happened with Cam and it's knocked the steering around a little bit. We just checked it the best we can, we'll have to see from here.

“It's a tough gig getting pole any time, so now being lucky last he's got his work cut out for him.”