Tim Macrow takes S5000 round victory in Tasmania

Two-time Gold Star winner Tim Macrow has taken victory in the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship opener in Tasmania.

Tim Macrow took victory in the S5000 opener at Symmons Plains. (Stan Sport)

Macrow led away from the grid after starting second, and held off the challenge from young rival Cooper Webster for the race victory.

James Golding was on pole after the two heats but Macrow had the dominant line into the first pair of corners and came out the first lap in the lead, while Golding went from second to last after going off at the hairpin.

Macrow had a lead of around 1.5 seconds but was chased down by Cooper Webster to within 0.3 seconds, but the Versa Motorsport driver was unable to find a way past the experienced Macrow.

"It’s a massive result for us and we’ve just continued to work on the car throughout the weekend to make it better," said Macrow.

"We got the car really good by the end."

"I got a good start and from there it was about controlling the pace."

"I had a few moments at the hairpin but was able to control the race and bring it home."

"It’s such a good way to start the season and I have to thank all our sponsors for their support."

Tim Macrow held off the challenge from Cooper Webster to take victory in Tasmania. (Stan Sport)

Front-runners Golding and Joey Mawson were out of contention early on, with Golding down the order after the opening lap spin, and Mawson recovering from a collision in the second heat earlier in the day.

Team BRM had his car ready just seconds before the feature race after he was clipped by teammate Tim Slade in the first corner of race two.

Blake Purdie started the second heat on pole but it was Josh Fife who started second and had the best start.

Fife took his first S5000 victory and just the second for team 88Racing, ahead of Macrow and Golding.

Josh Fife took his first S5000 victory in the second heat. (Stan Sport)

Macrow leaves Symmons Plains in the lead of the championship on 104 points, followed by Cooper Webster on 91 points, Josh Fife on 80, and James Golding just one point behind on 79.

The S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship returns at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships on March 18-20.