They secured a podium with Cameron Waters' third-place finish but Saturday's Supercars race was full of frustration for Tickford Racing.
The Ford team made a dominant start to the Auckland SuperSprint, having three different drivers top each of the practice sessions before putting three Fords in the top four in qualifying.
Once the 200km race at Pukekohe Park got underway however Tickford's fleet of Mustangs set about shooting themselves in the foot.
Lee Holdsworth was slow off the line and immediately dropped three positions before coming home sixth.
Chaz Mostert and Waters were battling for position on lap 41 of the 70-lap race when the pair touched wheels and skidded off the track.