POLE POSITION AND THE PODIUM: A BATHURST 1000 TO REMEMBER
A new Gen3 lap record, pole position for the Great Race and a dramatic final-lap finish — the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 was a weekend to remember for Zach Bates, Aaron Seton and the Matt Stone Racing team.
The Bathurst 1000 is one of the biggest events on the Supercars calendar, and this year’s race delivered everything you could ask for. From a record-breaking qualifying lap to a thrilling finish on Sunday, the #10 Bendix Camaro was in the fight at the front all weekend before securing a hard-fought third-place finish.
For Batesy and co-driver Aaron Seton, the result marked their first Main Game Supercars podium together — a milestone moment after an outstanding weekend.
Friday: A Record-Breaking Lap
The weekend began on Thursday with a couple of practice sessions, working through initial setups and preparations for the 1000-kilometre challenge. The #10 Bendix Camaro finished 16th in the opening all-driver session before placing 19th in the co-driver-only session.
Friday brought a significant step forward.
Zach and the team continued to find pace, finishing ninth in Practice 3 before moving up to seventh in Practice 4. That momentum carried straight into qualifying, where Zach produced a sensational lap of 2:03.938 to claim provisional pole position and set a new Gen3 lap record.
It was a statement performance that put the Bendix Camaro firmly in contention heading into the weekend's decisive sessions.
Saturday: Pole Position for the Bathurst 1000
Saturday began with a challenging co-driver practice session, with Aaron Seton and the #10 Bendix Camaro finishing 26th. The team responded strongly in Practice 6, returning to fifth outright as preparations continued for the Top Ten Shootout.
Then came the moment everyone had been building towards.
Zach delivered when it mattered most, topping the Top Ten Shootout to secure pole position for the Bathurst 1000.
After already setting a new Gen3 lap record on Friday, taking pole on Saturday was another major achievement for Zach and the Matt Stone Racing crew. It gave the team the perfect starting position for Sunday's Great Race and set the stage for a memorable day.
Sunday: 1000 Kilometres of Drama
With pole position secured, all eyes turned to race day.
Aaron Seton took the start in the #10 Bendix Camaro and immediately made the most of the opportunity, leading the opening stint and keeping the car at the front of the field. Across the long race, the Matt Stone Racing crew delivered a competitive package, with the #10 Bendix Camaro remaining firmly in the leading group throughout the day.
As the race entered its closing stages, Zach was back behind the wheel and running second, chasing Anton De Pasquale with only a handful of laps remaining.
With three laps to go, the race took another dramatic turn when Chaz Mostert hit the wall, bringing out the safety car. For the first time since the start, the field was brought back together, setting up a tense sprint to the finish.
The restart proved costly for Zach's podium position. De Pasquale pulled away at the front, while Brodie Kostecki made a move on Zach to take second. Will Brown soon followed, dropping the #10 Camaro to fourth. However, The Mountain wasn’t done yet. On the final lap, heading up Mountain Straight, De Pasquale ran out of fuel. The opportunity suddenly opened up, and Zach was able to move through to third place, bringing the #10 Bendix Camaro home for a sensational result.
Third place at the Bathurst 1000. A first Main Game Supercars podium for Zach Bates and Aaron Seton.
It was a finish that captured everything that makes Bathurst so special — speed, strategy, pressure and the unpredictability of the final lap.
A Huge Result for Zach and The Team
For Zach, the weekend delivered a series of career highlights: a new Gen3 lap record, provisional pole, pole position for Australia's Great Race and, ultimately, a place on the Bathurst 1000 podium.
It was a weekend that showcased the speed of the #10 Bendix Camaro, the commitment of the entire Matt Stone Racing crew and the importance of staying in the fight until the very end.
Third at the Mountain. A first Main Game podium. One unforgettable Bathurst 1000… all not achievable without the dedication and support from Zach’s sponsors, Camelbak, Bendix, Shaw Wines, XF Fleet, Affinity Constructions Australia, Procurement Direct, Sullivans, Wodens, V-Sport by Compfriction, Will Brown Transport and Carrol Group.
