Fans at Phillip Island enjoyed Saturday's MotoGP racing and a closing performance by Jimmy Barnes, despite overcast skies, occasional showers and cool conditions. The day's action on the track, in the air and on stage left a lasting impression on those attending. Sunday's weather brought heavy rain, delays and disappointment, so the Saturday program stood out as the highlight of the event.
Man of Many's staff have picked four favourites for the week. Staff writer Ben Mckimm rates Chunky silicone charging cables, which he says resist tangles and kinks. Elliot Nash found the espresso 15 Lite portable monitor useful for working from home. Scott Purcell is heading to The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick, which is billed as the country's richest race. Jackson Langford praised Haiver Spirits Summer Peach Hard Tea for its balanced sweetness.
A $500,000 Labor election commitment could lead to Geelong Racecourse and nearby land being developed into a wider sporting and community precinct. Geelong MP Chris Couzens announced the pledge at the Geelong Cup, saying the money would fund a precinct plan if the government is re-elected next month. The club has floated options including a multi-sport precinct and possible housing, although these proposals remain at an early stage. The government has not committed funding to any resulting building projects.
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Australian runners are competing in the Backyard Ultra World Team Championship at Kembla Grange in New South Wales. Each athlete must complete a 6.7-kilometre loop every hour until only one runner remains, with the event lasting beyond four days. Jonathan Ash and Brandon Lee Gretch both withdrew after injuries, while Phil Gore is sidelined this year. Dan Camac was the last Australian left, completing his 87th lap, and the Australian team recorded a combined 1,069 laps.
One of the strongest fields in Geelong Cup history is set to contest Wednesday's feature, with a Melbourne Cup golden ticket adding significance. Geelong Racing Club chief executive Luke Rayner says the quality of acceptances is among the best he can remember. He estimates 10 horses among the acceptances sit between 31st and 56th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry. Gates open at 11am, with a crowd expected and more than 5,000 corporate hospitality tickets already sold. Free shuttle buses will run from the Geelong Bus Interchange and South Geelong Station.
The Moe Racing Club raised $50,305.35 for Latrobe Regional Health at its annual pink race day, exceeding its $30,000 target. Funds came from course entry, raffles, auctions, and donations, with bookmakers also contributing. The event featured Racing.com’s Gemma Rielly as emcee and local musician Mick Harrington performing. Proceeds will support the Gippsland Cancer Wellbeing Centre, a facility offering physical and emotional care for cancer patients.
Man of Many's staff have picked four favourites for the week. Staff writer Ben Mckimm rates Chunky silicone charging cables, which he says resist tangles and kinks. Elliot Nash found the espresso 15 Lite portable monitor useful for working from home. Scott Purcell is heading to The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick, which is billed as the country's richest race. Jackson Langford praised Haiver Spirits Summer Peach Hard Tea for its balanced sweetness.
Canberra venues are hosting a range of Melbourne Cup celebrations on 3 November. The Hyatt Hotel Canberra has a garden party from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm for $200 per person, with a seafood bar and live tiramisu bar. Thoroughbred Park offers Cup day racing with general entry from $20. Free options include the Canberra Labor Club, The Dock in Kingston and Mercure Canberra, which will show the races on multiple big screens.
The 2026 Geelong Cup will introduce The Sporting Globe Lawn, a new hospitality area targeting younger audiences. Positioned near the winning post, it features a shipping container bar with an upper deck, a private garden with seating, and live DJs from Dive Bar. Tickets, priced at $150, include a five-hour beverage package and three meal choices. Organisers aim to enhance the social experience of race day, with transport options available from South Geelong Station. The event is scheduled for 21 October.
Jerry Seinfeld is auctioning the first documented Rolex Daytona, awarded to Vic Elford for winning the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona. The watch, part of Seinfeld’s private collection, will be sold in New York in December 2026 with an estimated value of USD$100,000 to USD$200,000. Seinfeld previously acquired both the race-winning Porsche 907 and the watch, reuniting the historic pair.
Rockhampton residents can celebrate the 2026 Caulfield Cup while raising money for Fitzroy Community Hospice. A Caulfield Cup EVEning will be held on Friday, 16 October at Athelstane Bowls Club, with a Super Sweep draw. A Caulfield Cup Luncheon follows at Rocky Sports Club on Saturday, 17 October. Both events are organised by Auxiliary volunteers, who hope the community will attend, dress up and support the local service.
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.
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.
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.
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Motorsport sponsorship has shifted from traditional industries to technology sectors, with artificial intelligence and machine learning now prominent. Tech executives, including founders of major companies, are increasingly funding amateur racing. Chip Ganassi Racing's collaboration with OpenAI has yielded significant results, with driver Álex Palou securing his fifth championship in six seasons. The partnership focuses on optimising car setups, a process documented in a YouTube series. This season, Palou won a third of all races and achieved eight poles, demonstrating the impact of AI/ML in motorsport performance.
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.