Supercars 2026 Bathurst 1000
22-year-old driver Zach Bates secured a maiden pole position for the 2026 Bathurst 1000 in a top-10 shootout. Bates outperformed veteran drivers, marking a significant milestone for his Matt Stone Racing team.
Why it matters
The Bathurst 1000 is a premier event in Australian motorsport, and a young driver securing pole is a major narrative in the sport.
shares Share article Zach Bates has joined an elite club of Supercars greats to claim a maiden pole position for the Bathurst 1000 .
Bates was the last car out in Saturday’s top-10 shootout, having set the fastest time in Friday qualifying.
Zach Bates embraces his father, Rick, after securing pole position. Fox Sports
And he proved it was no fluke when he set a blistering time in the shootout to go nearly three tenths clear of Brodie Kostecki , in the process denying the Ford driver a record-breaking fourth consecutive Bathurst 1000 pole.
Bates joins Craig Lowndes (1996) and Mark Larkham (1999) as those to have claimed their maiden poles at The Great Race.
“I can’t believe it. Honestly, I cannot believe it,” Bates said on the broadcast.
"You know, I had a good feeling throughout the week, but I didn't think the thing could go this fast.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Supercars rookie takes Bathurst 1000 provisional pole
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 100: Rookie Zach Bates claims pole with stunning top 10 shootout lap
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