‘Can’t believe it’: Rookie STUNS Bathurst to deny champ history in epic hot lap dash
Supercars rookie Zach Bates secured a historic pole position at the Bathurst 1000, becoming the first rookie to do so in 25 years. The achievement occurred during a high-stakes Top 10 Shootout at Mount Panorama.
Why it matters
This represents a significant milestone in Australian motorsport history, marking a rare performance by a newcomer in a premier racing event.
MOTORSPORT SUPERCARS BATHURST-1000 ‘Can’t believe it’: Rookie STUNS Bathurst to deny champ history in epic hot lap dash EPIC scenes! Bates wins Top 10 Shootout | 02:30 Catherine Healey from Fox Sports October 10th, 2026 7:29 pm Zach Bates has become the first Supercars rookie in 25 years to claim the Bathurst 1000 pole with an epic hot lap on Saturday afternoon.
Chasing down Brodie Kostecki, who as the sixth man out had put down a 2.04.491 in his bid for a record four consecutive Bathurst poles, Bates held his nerve with one of the most incredible efforts we’ve seen in recent history.
His 2.04.206 was enough to secure the prized pole - his first-ever as a Supercars driver, and the first-ever at Bathurst for team Matt Stone Racing.
“Oh my god I cannot believe it,” Bates said post-shootout lap.
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