The main race at the Clipsal 500 has begun in absolute farce, with organisers, broadcasters and teams at odds as to whether it was happening.

In the minutes before the 250 kilometre classic was due to begin, storms lashed the Adelaide street circuit, bringing chaos.

Pit-teams ran onto the track to equip their cars with wet-weather tyres, with some cars missing out and completing the formation lap in slicks.

Reigning champion Mark Winterbottom was one of those effected, aquaplaning across the track dangerously despite low speed.

With the race start delayed, the cars sat on the grid before a safety car led them out.

Organisers and broadcasters differed on whether the safety car was leading out the cars for another warm-up lap or beginning the race under controlled conditions.

The Clipsal 500 Twitter account suggested the race had begun; the V8 Supercars account said warm-up laps were continuing.

It made for uncomfortable viewing, with commentators on Fox Sports unable to discern whether the race had started until the second lap, with official timing kicking in mid-way through that lap.

Red Bull team manager Phil Dutton openly challenged the race start on air, telling officials competition rules required a restart.

But the race went on, with the safety car leaving the circuit after seven laps.

With plenty of water still on the track, the first laps without the safety car made for chaotic racing.

Several cars went spraying off the track, particularly at turn seven, while Jamie Whincup was turned around in a tussle with Garth Tander.