Bathurst 100: Rookie Zach Bates claims pole with stunning top 10 shootout lap
Rookie driver Zach Bates secured the pole position for the 2026 Bathurst 1000 after a dominant performance in the top 10 shootout. Bates outperformed veteran drivers, including Brodie Kostecki, to claim the top spot.
Why it matters
This marks a significant milestone for a young driver in one of the most prestigious and challenging motorsport events in the Southern Hemisphere.
Zach Bates backed up the fastest time in qualifying by winning the top 10 shootout yesterday. Photo / Edge Photographic
The top 10 shootout is the only time Supercars drivers get the Mt Panorama circuit to themselves.
At the end of nearly an hour of drivers muscling a couple of tonnes of machinery around one of the most challenging circuits in the world, Zach Bates drove a lap reminiscent of Greg Murphy’s Lap of the Gods and pulled into pit lane with the 2026 Bathurst 1000 pole bragging rights on Saturday night.
“I cannot believe it. Thank you. Oh, I just can’t believe it,” said Bates on his cool-down lap.
“Thank you so much for my family, the team and everyone who’s helped me get here. It’s been a tough old road. I always knew I had the car to do it and I just had to deliver.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Bathurst 1000: Zach Bates sets fastest time at Mount Panorama in Gen3 era
‘Can’t believe it’: Rookie STUNS Bathurst to deny champ history in epic hot lap dash
Bathurst 1000 Qualifying LIVE results 2026: V8 Supercars, highlights, latest news; Toyota’s nervous wait after horror crash for Ryan Wood, Rylan Gray Tony D’Alberto crash video, Nightmare confirmed as
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