Mini has unveiled the Lucky 13 Edition, an Australian-exclusive limited-run model based on the John Cooper Works three-door hatch. It honours the 1966 Bathurst 500 victory by Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden in a factory-backed Morris Mini Cooper S. The special edition's name comes from Mr Holden drawing number 13 from a hat and adopting it as his lucky number. Design cues include white bonnet stripes, a white roof and circular 13 decals. Just 26 cars will be built for Australia, with arrival expected in the first quarter of 2027. Pricing starts at $71,990 before on-road costs.
A historic 1832 Georgian homestead called Rainham has sold for $1.6 million near Bathurst, after more than a year on the market. The six-bedroom property at Orton Park sits on more than 32 hectares and was built for pioneering merchant and explorer Captain Thomas Raine. The vendors, musician Richard Miller and his flautist wife Suzy, bought it in 2012 for $500,000 and left its interiors largely untouched. The buyers are local and plan to move their Highland cattle stud to the property while keeping its heritage character.
Lithgow City Council is inviting event organisers to hold their next regional event in the Seven Valleys. Applications for the Seven Valleys Major Event Sponsorship Program are open until November 1, 2026. The 2026-27 program offers up to $40,000 in sponsorship from a total pool of $40,000. Mayor Cassandra Coleman said the region's towns, natural landscapes and heritage places could suit many kinds of events. Lithgow Halloween runs on Main Street on October 31, and the Wild Food Festival returns in February 2027.
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Australians are moving from capital cities to regional areas at rates matching the record levels of 2021, according to the Commonwealth Bank and Regional Australia Institute's Regional Movers Index. Greater Geraldton in Western Australia recorded the fastest year-on-year growth, with net inflows from capitals rising 225 per cent to June 2026. The Sunshine Coast remained the most popular regional destination overall. RAI chief Liz Ritchie said regional growth had outpaced government projections by 114,000 people over the past decade, calling for population planning that keeps pace with housing and services.
NSW Police have contacted US forensic video expert Bryan Neumeister to examine a VHS tape showing the last known sighting of Janine Vaughan, who disappeared in Bathurst 25 years ago. The footage, recorded at the Metro Tavern, shows her getting into a red car before vanishing. Her brother Adam Vaughan said the original tape had never been examined and that copies have poor audio and video quality. Police said correspondence with Mr Neumeister is ongoing, and Mr Neumeister said discussions have been encouraging.
The Holden Dealer Team (HDT) has returned under new owner Kenny Habul, who plans to restore and retro-mod iconic 1980s 'Brock Commodore' road cars. Habul is also developing a new road-going model, with three prototypes currently in production. The original HDT road cars, created under racing legend Peter Brock, were based on the top-spec Commodore and featured significant performance upgrades. The first model, introduced in 1980, had a 5.0-litre V8 engine and distinctive styling elements. The new HDT car could potentially be based on the upcoming seventh-generation Camaro, which shares a platform with the last Australian-made Commodore.
Investors will travel to Tamworth and Goondiwindi in November to meet rural business owners through the Invest Rural roadshow. The Tamworth event is at Goonoo Goonoo Station on Tuesday, 10 November, and the Goondiwindi event follows on Thursday, 12 November. The full-day workshops cover getting a business investment-ready, telling the business story and the R&D Tax Incentive. Co-founder Jo Palmer says the program aims to give owners access to investors who listen rather than sell. Tickets are available through the Invest Rural website.
A report co-authored by the Australian Democracy Network and Deakin University says council rules are hampering the right to protest. It cites a regional New South Wales council that required a $20 million public liability policy for a rally in a park, and a Queanbeyan organiser asked to pay insurance. A Bayside council spokesperson said it was not opposed to a rally but that planned activities required event approval. Local Government NSW and the Office of Local Government were approached for comment.
A magnitude 2.3 earthquake struck beneath the Cadia Valley gold and copper mine in New South Wales at about 10.25am on Friday 9 October, according to Geoscience Australia. The tremor was felt at 10 locations, all reporting weak or light shaking. Mine operator Newmont said the event caused no disruption to operations and no effects on personnel or infrastructure. It is unclear whether the quake was linked to mining activity. Earlier this year, a magnitude 4.5 quake shut underground operations at the site for days.
Police in Orange have reported the results of a loss prevention operation targeting shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in the town's main shopping areas. Undercover officers arrested five people and charged them with theft or trespassing. Eight Field Court Attendance Notices and 21 Criminal Infringement Notices were issued, and 21 people were given Banning Notices. Police searched 41 people, recovered $3000 worth of stolen goods for business owners, and cautioned five young people. The operation followed a Retail Theft Forum held in September with retail managers, security staff and police.
Brodie Kostecki won the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama after the leading Camaro of Anton De Pasquale ran out of fuel a few kilometres from the finish. Kostecki, who had dropped to fifth after a slow pit stop, passed the stalled car and took the win. Team boss Dick Johnson was moved to tears. The race ended a chaotic final stretch that began when Chaz Mostert crashed into the wall with five laps remaining. Columnist John Mikkelsen, a former editor, describes the finish as one of the most dramatic he has seen.
Canberra driver Zach Bates finished third at the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday, having started from pole position after topping Saturday's Top 10 Shootout. It was his second appearance in the race at Mount Panorama. Bates is the son of former rally and Supercars driver Rick Bates. His mother, motorsport broadcaster Alison Drower, died from cancer weeks before his debut last year. Bates credits his result to hard work and support from local sponsors and the Canberra community. He will next race at the Gold Coast 500.
Brodie Kostecki won the Bathurst 1000 for Dick Johnson Racing, passing leader Anton De Pasquale on the last of 161 laps. De Pasquale's Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro had run out of fuel. Team principal Adrian Burgess admitted there was an error in the fuel calculations. Kostecki had recovered from a poor pit stop that dropped him from first to fifth. Will Brown and Scott Pyne finished second and clinched the Enduro Cup. The win ended the team's seven-year drought at Mount Panorama. Dick Johnson, 81, was emotional after the result.
Canberra driver Zach Bates finished third at the Bathurst 1000, Australia's biggest race, in his rookie season. He became the first rookie since 2001 to start from pole position. Bates shared the car with Aaron Seton, and the pair stayed in the top 10 all race. Race leader Anton De Pasquale's car ran out of fuel on the final lap, handing Bates his first podium. Bates will next race at the Gold Coast 500.
Kenny Habul has bought the HDT Special Vehicles brand and will move its operations to a new facility in Bathurst, NSW. The site will include a workshop offering parts and HDT-approved performance upgrades for existing owners, along with a museum and showroom. Prototype testing for a reimagined HDT vehicle is underway in Australia, Germany and the United States. Habul is a two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner and the founder of solar energy company SunEnergy1. He bought the brand from Peter Champion, who had owned it for nearly 20 years.
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Brodie Kostecki won his second Bathurst 1000 after race leader Anton De Pasquale ran out of fuel on the final lap. Chaz Mostert had crashed into the wall five laps earlier, opening the way for Kostecki. Team boss Adrian Burgess said the fuel calculations contained an error. Will Brown and Scott Pye finished second, while Zach Bates and Aaron Seton took third. Kostecki and co-driver Todd Hazelwood crossed the line in tears.
Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood of Dick Johnson Racing won the 2026 Bathurst 1000 after a dramatic final stint. Their lead vanished when a slow pit stop on lap 125 dropped Kostecki to fifth. Team 18's Anton De Pasquale then led with Zach Bates closing fast, until a safety car was called after Chaz Mostert crashed. De Pasquale ran out of fuel one lap from the flag, leaving Team 18 devastated. Kostecki, who had passed Bates, took the lead with 22 corners remaining and crossed the line first.
Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood have won the Bathurst 1000 after Anton De Pasquale ran out of fuel while leading on the final lap. De Pasquale, who was less than a lap from victory, said he knew his team was cooked once he saw how short they were on fuel. Team 18 had urged him to save fuel with the chequered flag nearing. Kostecki, who passed Zach Bates on the final corner, took the win for Dick Johnson Racing. Will Brown and Scott Pye finished second for Triple Eight.
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.
