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Bates takes pole for Bathurst 1000 ahead of Kostecki
- On Saturday, Matt Stone Racing rookie Zach Bates clinched pole position for the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000, becoming the first rookie since Marcos Ambrose in 2001 to start the Great Race from the front.
- The 22-year-old dedicated his stunning qualifying performance to his late mother, Alison Drower, who passed away last year before his Bathurst debut. Bates, teaming with Aaron Seton, clocked 2:04.2062 to secure the front spot.
- Bates pipped Dick Johnson Racing star Brodie Kostecki by 0.285sec, denying the three-time pole winner a historic fourth consecutive front-row start. Kostecki said, "I love a good underdog story," congratulating the rookie.
- Sunday's 1000km battle at Mount Panorama offers 300 championship points for the winner, with the forecast remaining clear for the main event following the Top 10 Shootout.
- Defending Supercars champion Chaz Mostert will start from 16th, while title contender Broc Feeney qualifies 12th and Cam Waters in 13th as drivers prepare for tomorrow's main event.
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17 Articles
17 Articles
Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Rookie claims Bathurst 1000 pole position in a Shootout shock
Zach Bates will become the first rookie since 2001 to start the Bathurst 1000 in pole position after stunning Mount Panorama for the second day in a row to win the Top 10 Shootout qualifying competition.
·North Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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