Stole cab involved in a sort of race (8)
I believe the answer is:
obstacle
'a sort of race' is the definition.
'stole cab involved' is the wordplay.
'involved' is an anagram indicator (involved can mean confusing or complex).
'stole'+'cab'='stolecab'
'stolecab' anagrammed gives 'OBSTACLE'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for obstacle that I've seen before include "It hinders or prevents advance" , "Block to progress" , "Stab Cleo (anag) - which hinders progress" , "Barrier or impediment" , "race" .)