Zac Bates will start from pole position for the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama in Bathurst, New South Wales. The 161-lap race is scheduled to begin at 11:30 am local time, with the winner expected around 5:30 pm, depending on safety cars, yellow flags and weather. Fans can watch the race on the Seven Network free-to-air, on Fox Sports on subscription television, or stream it through Kayo and 7plus. Last year's race was won by Matt Payne and Garth Tander for Penrite Racing.
The Bathurst 1000, the most famous race on the Supercars calendar, begins on Sunday, October 11, at Mount Panorama in Bathurst. Fifty-four drivers across 27 cars will compete in the 1,000-kilometre endurance race. The race will be broadcast on free-to-air and pay television, as well as streaming platforms. Sunday is expected to be sunny, but rain is forecast for Saturday, which could affect the starting grid.
Supercars rookie Zach Bates will start the Bathurst 1000 from pole position after beating Brodie Kostecki in the top-10 shootout. Bates set a time of 2:04.2062 to beat Kostecki by 0.285 seconds, becoming the third rookie to claim pole for the race. The 22-year-old Canberra driver is the son of former Supercars driver Rick Bates. Anton De Pasquale and Cooper Murray will start in the second row, while defending champion Chaz Mostert will start from 16th.
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Zach Bates is the favourite to win pole position for the Bathurst 1000 after setting the fastest qualifying lap at Mount Panorama on Friday. His time of 2:03.938 was the quickest set in the current era of Supercars at Bathurst. The Top 10 Shootout, which sets the first five rows of the grid, takes place this afternoon. Brodie Kostecki, fifth fastest on Friday, is attempting to become the first driver to secure four consecutive Bathurst 1000 pole positions. Each of the top 10 teams will have one lap to determine the front of the grid.
Zach Bates set a new fastest lap record at Bathurst, dedicating the achievement to his late mother. The 22-year-old Canberra driver topped Friday's qualifying session with a 2:03.938 in his Chevrolet, becoming the first to break the 2:04 barrier in the Gen3 era. Two cars missed qualifying after practice crashes left them unrepaired in time. Bates will enter Saturday's shootout as the favourite, with Brodie Kostecki aiming for a fourth consecutive pole position.
Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood has escaped injury after a high-speed crash during third practice at Mount Panorama in Bathurst on Friday morning. Wood clipped the inside wall at Forrest's Elbow, sending his Toyota into the outside barrier with force. The impact was reportedly recorded at 42 G-forces, and medics cleared him. Wood apologised to his team, who must work quickly to get his car ready for qualifying. Tony D'Alberto also crashed at The Dipper in the final minutes of the session, and his car was taken back to the garage on a tow truck.
Kai Allen set the fastest time in both practice sessions at the Bathurst 1000 on Thursday. Ford engines have been changed for this weekend after tests showed power loss at high altitude. Six of the top 10 cars in the first session were Fords, with Chevrolets filling the remaining spots. Matthew Payne, last year's winner, had an early issue with power steering fluid in his garage. Two more practice sessions are scheduled for Friday before qualifying.
Craig Lowndes is competing in the Bathurst 1000, marking 20 years since Peter Brock's death. The seven-time winner is passing on Brock's legacy to his rookie teammate, Bayley Hall. Lowndes recalls Brock's advice and inspiration, which helped him win the race weeks after Brock's passing. Jamie Whincup, a former teammate, won't be racing this year, focusing instead on his team principal role.
The Bathurst 1000 prize money for 2026 has not been made public. The race is part of the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship, with most prize money awarded based on overall championship results. The fastest qualifier in each race earns a cash bonus ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, while the Bathurst 1000 pole position driver receives $10,000. The driver with the most pole positions in the 2026 season earns an additional $50,000. Teams can also compete in a live pit-stop competition, with the winning crew taking home $20,000 and the 'Golden Rattle Gun' trophy.
The Bathurst 1000, the most famous race on the Supercars calendar, begins on Sunday, October 11, at Mount Panorama in Bathurst. Fifty-four drivers across 27 cars will compete in the 1,000-kilometre endurance race. The race will be broadcast on free-to-air and pay television, as well as streaming platforms. Sunday is expected to be sunny, but rain is forecast for Saturday, which could affect the starting grid.
Zac Bates will start from pole position for the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday, October 11, after topping the Top 10 Shootout on Saturday. The race covers 161 laps around Mount Panorama. Seven Network will show live action from Friday on free-to-air television. Fox Sports will carry every session in 4K Ultra HD, while Kayo and 7plus offer streaming, with Kayo covering practice from Thursday through to the post-race presentations.
Matt Payne and Garth Tander won the 2025 Bathurst 1000 in a Ford Mustang GT for Penrite Racing. The race, held annually since 1960, features two drivers competing on the Mount Panorama circuit. Peter Brock holds the record for most wins, with nine victories between 1972 and 1987. The race covers 161 laps, totalling 1,000 kilometres, with Chaz Mostert holding the fastest lap record at 2:03.3736 minutes.
Sydney will host the 2027 Super Netball Grand Final for the first time since the competition began. The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors and inject more than $4 million into the NSW visitor economy. The match will be played on Saturday 31 July at Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, and is proposed rather than confirmed. Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis said the event would celebrate the sport's passion across New South Wales. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state would invest more in netball, one of its biggest participation sports.
Former Sydney police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon reported work-related psychological trauma and claimed schizophrenia symptoms during a call to a police assistance line while on his way to surrender to detectives. He is on trial for the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, claiming self-defence. Lamarre-Condon accused the force of bullying and lack of support, saying it affected his mental health. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A man has died after being pulled unresponsive from the water off Number One Beach at Seal Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast. Members of the public brought him from the water about 2.20pm on Monday. Paramedics could not revive him after responding to a concern for welfare call. The man, believed to be in his 60s, has yet to be formally identified, NSW Police said. The incident is under investigation, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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Beau Lamarre-Condon has told his double murder trial that a friend encouraged him to dispose of the bodies of two men straight away, despite his wish to report the deaths to police. Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, who were shot in Baird's Paddington home in February 2024. His legal team argues the men were shot accidentally and that he acted in self-defence. In a statement read to the court, he alleges the friend, known as Elizabeth Kennedy, helped him dispose of the bodies at a farm.
A woman from Point Frederick has been charged by Australian Federal Police for allegedly displaying prohibited hate symbols on social media. She is the second person charged by the National Security Investigations teams over similar conduct.
A Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent by NSW Ambulance to a motorcycle accident on the M1 Motorway at Somersby on Saturday, October 24, at about 4pm. A man was injured in the crash.
A luxury Byron Bay retreat linked to Hollywood actor Matt Damon has sold for $4.65 million. The Broken Head property, known as Blackwood House, was listed at a $12.5 million price guide in 2022. Damon rented the home in 2017 while filming a cameo for Thor: Ragnarok. He stayed for several months with friend Chris Hemsworth, which fuelled speculation he would move to Australia permanently. Damon did not buy the property, and he returned to the United States after his stay.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
A jury has heard a phone call in which Beau Lamarre-Condon claimed he suffered trauma from bullying by NSW Police Force members. The call was made on February 23, 2024, while he was on his way to hand himself in. He is accused of murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies at Baird's Paddington home on February 19, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty and is arguing self-defence. In his statement to police, Lamarre-Condon said a friend encouraged him to hide the bodies. She denies this and says she never saw the bodies.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted that a $6 million grant promised to Marrickville Golf Club is not for fixing sewage problems, as he had told Parliament. Infrastructure Department officials told a Senate estimates hearing that the project includes no sewerage works. Most of the money will go towards redeveloping the clubhouse, with smaller amounts for stormwater upgrades and landscaping, according to council minutes. Albanese said the NSW government is funding the sewerage aspects. Opposition Business Manager Dan Tehan urged him to correct the record. Albanese also holds an undisclosed honorary membership at the club.
Brendon and Emma Reynolds have put the historic Junee Hotel on the market so they can move closer to family. The couple took over the lease in 2023 and later bought the property, restoring its rooms, bathrooms and bar. They have added community events, including a singles night that Emma says led to five relationships. Emma criticised government taxes on regional pubs and staffing rules that limit backpacker workers. The couple plan to live in the hotel while a sale progresses, which they say can take six to 12 months.
A surfer has died after being pulled from the water at Number One Beach in Seal Rocks, on the NSW Mid North Coast. Members of the public dragged the man from the water about 2.20pm on Monday. He was unresponsive. Paramedics tried to save him, but he died at the scene. He has not been formally identified but is believed to be in his 60s. The secluded beach sits opposite a caravan park and is popular with swimmers and surfers.
