Supercars | 2026 Bathurst 1000 | Race 30 | Bates Claims Pole at Mount Panorama

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Zach Bates has claimed his maiden Bathurst 1000 pole position. Delivering a stunning lap around Mount Panorama, the lap capped off a record-breaking weekend for the Matt Stone Racing rookie.

The Matt Stone Racing rookie clocked a 2:04.206s to secure pole position ahead of Dick Johnson Racing’s Brodie Kostecki, who fell 0.285s short of the top spot. Team 18’s Anton De Pasquale completed the top three, narrowly missing out on second place as Bates celebrated a historic result at Mount Panorama.

Bates claims Friday’s Provisional Pole

Ahead of the Top Ten Shootout, it was Matt Stone Racing rookie Zach Bates who stole the headlines in Friday’s Bathurst 1000 qualifying session. The 22-year-old delivered a stunning 2:03.9376s lap, becoming the first driver to break the 2:04 barrier in a Gen3 Supercar at Mount Panorama and securing provisional pole position.

Behind Bates, Team 18’s Anton De Pasquale and Erebus Motorsport’s Cooper Murray completed an all-Chevrolet top three. Meanwhile, Will Brown qualified fourth, with Brodie Kostecki securing fifth as he looked to make history with a fourth consecutive Bathurst pole position.

It was also a strong session for Matt Stone Racing, as Jack Le Brocq qualified seventh to give the team two cars in the Shootout. Elsewhere, David Reynolds secured sixth, followed by Jayden Ojeda in eighth and championship leader Matt Payne in ninth. James Golding rounded out the top ten.

However, there were some major surprises further down the order, with several championship contenders failing to progress. Despite a competitive session, Kai Allen narrowly missed the Shootout in 11th, while Broc Feeney finished just behind in 12th. Further back, Cam Waters could only manage 14th, marking his first failure to reach the Bathurst Shootout since 2016. Similarly, reigning Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert struggled to find pace, eventually qualifying 16th.

Meanwhile, for Bates, the result was particularly emotional, with the young driver dedicating his record-breaking performance to his late mother. Nevertheless, provisional pole was only the first step, as the final grid positions were still to be decided.

Following Friday’s qualifying session, attention turned to the Top Ten Shootout, where each of the ten fastest drivers would have just one flying lap around Mount Panorama to secure pole position for Sunday’s Bathurst 1000. Although Bates would be the final driver on track, Kostecki was chasing history, while several other rivals had also demonstrated strong pace. As a result, the battle for pole remained wide open.

Golding leads the way in Top Ten Shootout

After qualifying tenth, it was James Golding who was the first to begin the Top Ten Shootout. Heading up the Mountain Straight, Golding clocked a 51.306s through the first sector. Heaving over the top of the mountain, Golding brushed the wall to claim 33.034 in the second sector.

Heading into The Chase, Golding slid through the chicane before crossing the line with a 2:05.303s lap. Meanwhile, Matt Payne was preparing to begin his flying lap. The Penrite driver, who claimed his maiden Bathurst victory in 2025, immediately showed strong pace along the straight. By the time he reached the top of the mountain, Payne was already half a second quicker than Golding. However, as he worked his way through the bends, his advantage narrowed to just 0.036s. Despite a clean run through the final few corners, Payne ultimately crossed the line behind Golding with a 2:05.352s lap.

With the dominant Chevrolet engine, Jayden Ojeda was next on track. Saying through the first straights, Ojeda was quick in his first Bathurst qualifying. Ojeda was over two tenths quicker than Golding through the first sector. After a near miss at the top of the mountain, Ojeda regrouped to claim 2:05.156, solidifying himself ahead of Golding.

Chevrolet dominant around Mount Panorama

After the first three flying laps, Jack Le Brocq was next on track. Cautious through the first corner, Le Brocq was solo around the mountain. The Matt Stone Racing driver came through the first sector over one tenth behind Ojeda. Going cleanly through the top of the mountain, Le Brocq claimed valuable time as he headed towards the Chase. Coming through the final corners, Le Brocq claimed a purple final sector to claim the top of the field with a 2:04.985.

Next on track was David Reynolds. Sporting a new livery for the weekend, Reynolds was quick through the first sector. The first of two Team18 drivers, Reynolds clocked two tenths faster through the first sector. Keeping it clean through Skyline, Reynolds showed experience as he continued to better Le Brocq’s time. Coming across the line, Reynolds was pushing the barriers as he claimed a 2:05.173 to slot into third.

Kostecki was next on track. After claiming the past two pole positions in Bathurst, Kostecki was after history as he sprinted up the mountain. Through the first sector, Kostecki was just over a tenth clear of Le Brocq. The former Champion extended his lead to nearly half a second over the top of the mountain. With his Mustang flying, Kostecki claimed provisional pole with an impressive 2:04.491, half a second clear of Le Brocq in second.

Bates Fastest again

Following a short break, Will Brown was next on track. As he approached the first corner, Brown dipped a tyre into the dirt before flying up the mountain. Despite showing promising pace, the Triple Eight driver was unable to match Kostecki’s time. By the end of the second sector, Brown was almost half a second behind Kostecki. Ultimately, he was forced to settle for third with a 2:05.120s lap.

Next on track was Cooper Murray for Erebus Motorsport. The Chevrolet driver charged through the first sector, 0.052 behind Kostecki. In the fight for pole, Murray slotted himself around the bends, only 0.091s behind heading towards the Chase/ Heading towards the line, settled for second with a 2:04.697.

With the final two drivers left to qualify, Anton De Pasquale was next to fight for a Bathurst Pole. Looking quick all weekend, the Team18 driver has been the dominant Chevrolet driver all season. Claiming half a tenth on Kostecki, De Pasquale was on track for one of the fastest laps this weekend. With a lead of only 0.037 into the final sector, De Pasquale was clean through the Chase. Heading towards the line, De Pasquale didn’t have enough to beat Kostecki, slotting himself 0.038 behind the Mustang.

With Zach Bates rounding out the Top Ten Shootout field, the Matt Stone Racing driver was quick through the first corner. Taking his Chevrolet up the mountain, it was Kostecki vs Bates for Pole. Claiming 0.139s faster through the first sector, Bates was flying around Mount Panorama. After claiming two purple sectors, Bates pulled further away from Kostecki’s time with 0.244s. Unbeatable over both sessions, the rookie was looking good towards the line.

Claiming his maiden pole position, Zach Bates was flying around the mountain with a 2:04.206. After setting a Gen3 track record yesterday, Bates has forged himself into history books as he completes his first Top Ten Shootout around Bathurst.

A star is born 🌟

Zach Bates and Aaron Seton will start the Great Race from @boostaus Pole 🤯#RepcoSC #Supercars #Bathurst1000 pic.twitter.com/GnmP9dWzgn
— Supercars (@supercars) October 10, 2026