round 5, the sun south pacific 300 at calder park in melbourne, saw the first ever rolling start in australian touring car racing (though rolling starts had been seen in series production during the 1960s and 1970s). the race also doubled as the opening round of the five race south pacific touring car championship, with the second round being the group a support race for the 1986 australian grand prix in adelaide. the remaining 3 rounds of the south pacific series were held in new zealand with allan grice, driving a commodore in australia and a skyline in new zealand, emerging as champion.