Zach Bates, a 22-year-old V8 Supercars rookie from Canberra, achieved an unexpected third-place finish at the Bathurst 1000 after starting in pole position. His success follows a difficult year marked by his mother's death from cancer shortly before his first appearance in the event last year when he finished tenth. Bates attributes his achievement to hard work, sacrifice, and support from Canberra's community and sponsors, despite facing challenges due to the lack of a local car racing track.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Zach Bates, a 22-year-old rookie from Canberra, achieved third place at the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday, just weeks after his mother's death. He started the race from pole position after topping the Top 10 Shootout on Saturday. His father, former rally and Supercars driver Rick Bates, said he knew Zach had it in him despite the young driver facing personal challenges. In his debut at Bathurst last year, Zach finished tenth following his mother's passing due to cancer. Go-karting has traditionally been a pathway into motor racing for young Australians like Bates, who is also the nephew of four-time Australian Rally champion Neal Bates.
Written for “V8 Supercars Rookie Update” on 2026-10-13,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Canberran Zach Bates "still can't believe" he finished third at the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday.
asserted
he → believe → Sunday
It was the rookie's second time competing in the iconic race at Mount Panorama, where he started in pole position after topping Saturday's Top 10 Shootout.
asserted
he → compete → Shootout
"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I'd be starting on pole for the great race.
asserted
I → think → race
That was unbelievable," Bates said.
asserted
Bates → say → ?
"I knew I had to put everything on the line."
asserted
I → know → line
His father Rick Bates said he "knew Zach had it in him", and added the 22-year-old had a "very good feel for a car".
"He's pretty determined, and he does push it, which you need to," Rick Bates said.
asserted
Bates → say → which
"All those drivers, they're the top 25 drivers in Australia, and you've got to be on your A-game when you turn up."
asserted
you → get → game
The rookie's surprise success comes after his mother and motorsport broadcaster Alison Drower died from cancer weeks before his Bathurst 1000 debut last year, in which he finished tenth.
asserted
he → come → which
The young driver said his mother's death was "incredibly difficult to take".
"[It] definitely gave me a bit of fire in my belly to get up every morning and try and do the best that I can,"Bates said.
asserted
I → say → best
'Decent talent' in Canberra
Bates became a petrol head when he started recreational go-karting at the age of 10.
asserted
he → become → 10
To some in the racing dynasty, that is considered late, as some young drivers reach for the go-kart wheel as young as six years old.
asserted
drivers → consider → wheel
Go-karting, alongside simulation racing, has long acted as a gateway for young people to get involved in Canberra's racing scene.
"We all went through the go-karting stage, that's how you get into the sport.
asserted
you → act → sport
It's the way all the young kids come through,"Bates said.
asserted
kids → come → ?
"It's a special part of your life because it's just usually your mum and dad getting a go-kart and going racing — and then it really spirals from there."
asserted
it → get → kart
He attributes his talent behind the wheel to hard work, sacrifice, and a Canberra community that has backed him along his journey.
asserted
that → attribute → journey
"I have an incredible amount of Canberra supporters and sponsors," Bates said.
asserted
Bates → have → supporters
"What you see on the weekend is years of sacrifice and support from local businesses and some really cool people within Canberra itself and surrounding areas."
asserted
see → see → Canberra
He added his team, which includes two mechanics and engineers around his age, worked "incredibly hard".
asserted
which → add → age
"We're all just trying our best to make it happen," Bates said.
asserted
Bates → try → best
The 'tricky thing' about Canberra's racing scene
Bates said the lack of a car racing track in Canberra makes it hard for locals to get into racing.
asserted
locals → say → racing
"Of course it's a short trip to Sydney up the road, but it still makes it a little bit difficult for people to get into the sport if they want to,"he said.
asserted
they → make → sport
"Nonetheless, I think we do have some decent talent here.
asserted
we → think → talent
But Rick Bates said he did not think being in Canberra, or any particular location, made a noticeable difference to race car drivers.
asserted
being → say → drivers
"Wherever you're based, there's a fair bit of travel involved," he said.
asserted
he → base → travel
"Canberra is quite central for a base because there are rounds all over Australia."
asserted
Canberra → be → Australia
The 22-year-old Canberran said he is preparing to face down some "absolute gurus" on the "gnarly track" at the Gold Coast 500 next weekend.
asserted
he → say → Coast
The Aporia
