But the Canberra-based driver is confident he has time on his side in a season that won't be defined by the first chance to shine.

Hill opened his campaign with a third-placed finish in the opening race on Friday and would have backed it up if not for a penalty in race two.

The Canberran started third on the grid in race two and held his place, but he was judged to have been outside his grid box at the start.

The five-second penalty ultimately knocked him back to eighth, making his job on day three a far tougher proposition.

He would barely get a chance to improve his position after Max Twigg and Dean Cook slammed into the wall on the second lap, which forced the third race to be completed under safety car conditions.

Hill finished seventh in race three as the crash gifted Cooper Murray a hat-trick of race wins after he had made a fast start from pole position to avoid being caught behind the chaos.

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"I'm a little disappointed not to have been on the podium this weekend, I felt we had the speed to be in the top three, but the penalty in race two was costly for us," Hill said.

"However, our car speed was excellent, which gives me a lot of confidence for the next round at the Grand Prix in a few weeks.

"It's a long season, it's not going to be won or lost in the first round and our car is in one piece."

Hill has a chance to force his way up the standings when the Carrera Cup series moves to Albert Park in support of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix from March 12.

The eight-leg tournament will then go on hold until round three begins in Townsville on June 26.