The 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 will pay tribute to Peter Brock, marking 20 years since the death of the nine-time Great Race winner and one of Australian motorsport’s most celebrated figures.

The Bathurst 1000 returns to Mount Panorama from October 8-11, with event-wide tributes planned to celebrate Brock’s life, career and enduring connection with the famous circuit.

Brock remains synonymous with Bathurst, having claimed a record nine victories in the 500-mile/1000-kilometre race and earning the enduring title ‘King of the Mountain’.

A dedicated ‘Brock Experience’ will form the centrepiece of the commemorations, with sections of Bathurst transformed into an immersive celebration of his career.

‘Peter’s Pitlane’, adjoining the National Motor Racing Museum, will feature a collection of original race cars driven by Brock along with historic footage of some of his most memorable moments at Mount Panorama.

Another attraction, ‘Brocky’s Helmet’, will be installed in Church Street. The large-scale dome structure will allow fans to interact with displays celebrating milestones from Brock’s career. Supercars has also collaborated with Victorian artist David Bromley on bespoke artworks honouring Brock.

Supercars chairman Barclay Nettlefold said Brock’s influence on Bathurst and Australian motorsport remained unmatched.

“This year’s event will be particularly special as we celebrate the life and legacy of Peter Brock,” Nettlefold said.

“We look forward to putting on an unforgettable show both on and off track and providing something for every fan, from those returning to the Mountain to those visiting for the first time.”

While Brock’s legacy will provide an emotional backdrop, this year’s edition of the Great Race will also carry major championship implications.

Bathurst will be the final event before the 2026 Repco Supercars Finals Series, leaving drivers with one last opportunity to secure their place in the Finals. Every position across the race’s 161 laps could therefore prove critical to championship aspirations.

Garry Rogers Motorsport has turned to one of the most memorable chapters in its history for its 2026 Bathurst 1000 wildcard, unveiling a retro-inspired livery celebrating the team’s famous victory at Mount Panorama 26 years ago.

The GRM Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro to be raced by Nathan Herne and James Moffat will carry major backing from Valvoline Global and Repco, with its design paying tribute to the team’s 2000 Bathurst 1000-winning entry.

That victory remains one of the defining moments in GRM’s long motorsport history, with Jason Bargwanna and Garth Tander combining to take the team to the top step of the Bathurst podium under team owner Garry Rogers.

Repco featured prominently on the winning car in 2000 and will return to the livery for GRM’s latest assault on Mount Panorama.

The original 2000 Bathurst winner will also be on display at this year’s Bathurst 1000, giving fans the opportunity to see the historic machine alongside GRM’s modern wildcard program.

Valvoline Global’s involvement continues a multi-generational relationship with GRM, while a number of other sponsors have joined the Bathurst campaign.

GT Radial will feature on the Camaro’s windscreen banner, with TFH Hire and Schaeffler also supporting the program.

Herne and Moffat will additionally bring several of their existing Trans Am supporters to Mount Panorama. BlueGold Industries and Advanced Aquarium Technologies have followed their respective drivers into the Bathurst campaign, while HCC Distribution, which owns the TA2 and Trans Am categories, is also backing the wildcard.

The entry represents GRM’s return to the Supercars grid after a six-year absence and brings together two drivers with strong links to the team’s Trans Am program.

GRM is a two-time Trans Am title-winning operation, while Moffat brings considerable Supercars and Bathurst experience to the pairing. Herne will have the opportunity to make his mark on Australian motorsport’s biggest stage.

The team is also embracing the heritage theme away from the track, with a range of retro-inspired GRM merchandise to be available at Bathurst. Online pre-orders are expected to open in the coming days.

Before heading to Mount Panorama, the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro is scheduled to hit the track for a pre-Bathurst test in September.

The outing will provide GRM, Herne and Moffat with an important opportunity to prepare the Camaro before the team makes its eagerly anticipated return to Supercars competition at The Great Race.

Rising racer Kade Davey has become the first Indigenous Australian driver to get behind the wheel of a Gen3 Supercar after sampling a Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang at Queensland Raceway.

The 18-year-old, who is of Martu and Manyjilyjarra heritage, drove the Mustang during a general practice day, completing nine laps despite Supercars testing regulations limiting his time behind the wheel.

Davey impressed Shell V-Power Racing Team personnel during the outing, which was made possible through the team’s partnership with Racing Together.

The non-profit organisation works to create opportunities and pathways for young Indigenous Australians into motorsport and STEM fields including science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Davey has been part of Racing Together since late 2023 and has steadily progressed through the motorsport ranks.

A former Western Australian Karting Champion, he moved into car racing through the program, initially competing in Hyundai Excels before stepping up last year to race simultaneously in the GR Cup and its second-tier Scholarship Series.

Davey has concentrated on the GR Cup in 2026 and recorded a career-best second overall in the category’s most recent round, held on the support program for the Supercars Ipswich Super 440.

He currently sits eighth in the GR Cup standings as he prepares for another significant opportunity on one of Australian motorsport’s biggest stages.

The next GR Cup round will take place at Mount Panorama as part of the support program for this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

The Bathurst appearance will give Davey another chance to build on a season that has already delivered a significant milestone in his emerging motorsport career.

Century Batteries has extended its partnership with Supercars through to the end of the 2030 season, continuing an association that began in 2019.

The new agreement will see Century Batteries remain the Official Battery of Supercars and includes a significant milestone for the Australian battery manufacturer, which will celebrate 100 years of Australian manufacturing in 2028.

The extension was announced during the 2026 Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440, the ninth round of this year’s Repco Supercars Championship.

Century Batteries will maintain a strong presence throughout Supercars coverage, including its branding of the Century Batteries Chopper Cam and Century Batteries Drone Cam, which provide aerial footage during broadcasts.

Supercars Head of Commercial Craig Dontas said the renewed agreement reflected the relationship between the organisations and their shared commitment to Australian motorsport, local industry and developing Australian talent.

“Century Batteries is one of Australia’s most recognisable and trusted automotive brands and, just like Supercars, dedicated to investing in Australia and promoting local jobs,” Dontas said.

He said Century Batteries had also continued to develop its involvement with fans through event activations, retail engagement and its integration into Supercars broadcasts.

“We are looking forward to delivering exceptional fan experiences through to the next decade while incorporating the company’s centenary celebrations in 2028,” Dontas said.

Century Yuasa Batteries General Manager – automotive Shaun O’Brien said Supercars provided the company with an opportunity to engage directly with motorsport fans, customers and automotive enthusiasts.

“Supercars represents the pinnacle of Australian motorsport and provides an outstanding platform for Century Batteries to connect with passionate fans, customers and automotive enthusiasts across the country,” O’Brien said.

“Century Batteries has a long history in Australia and a very proud commitment to local manufacturing.

“This means strong alignment with Supercars, and we are delighted to extend our partnership to 2030 while bringing our brand’s heritage, passion and innovation to the fore.”

The partnership extension also underlines Century Batteries’ connection with Australian manufacturing, with its centenary falling during the renewed agreement. The company and Supercars said the relationship reflected a shared commitment to Australian motorsport, local industry and jobs.

The announcement followed the Ipswich Super 440, where Century Batteries held naming rights for the Queensland event.

Triple Eight has emphatically returned to the Supercars fight, with Broc Feeney leaving the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 as championship leader and surprise Repco Sprint Cup winner, while teammate Will Brown completed a remarkable turnaround following the team’s restrictor discovery.

Feeney arrived at Queensland Raceway trailing Grove Racing’s Matt Payne in the championship and went into Sunday’s final race 110 points behind the New Zealander in the Sprint Cup.

Payne appeared to have one hand on the trophy, needing only to finish 17th or better in Race 28 to secure it. Instead, an engine problem on his Mustang forced him to retire, opening the door for Feeney to produce one of the season’s biggest turnarounds.

Feeney did his part by winning the 200km final race, beating DJR’s Brodie Kostecki and Brown to snatch the Sprint Cup by 30 points and secure his place in the 2026 Supercars Finals, as Ford Mustangs dominated the Queensland circuit.

The victory also delivered 25 bonus points for the start of the Finals and, crucially, moved Feeney back ahead of Payne in the championship standings.

“It’s surreal to be honest,” Feeney said after the race.

“I think probably everyone’s in as much disbelief as I am.”

While acknowledging Payne and Grove Racing had put together an impressive Sprint Cup campaign, Feeney pointed out Triple Eight had still needed to deliver when the opportunity arose.

“We didn’t win it by coming fifth or something. We won the race today, and that’s probably the thing that nearly means the most,” he said.

It capped a major fightback for Triple Eight after a difficult period in the middle of the season.

Brown’s Ipswich weekend was equally significant following the discovery ahead of the event that an undersized air restrictor had been fitted to his Mustang and had been hampering engine performance during the season.

The 2024 champion responded with three podiums from three races, including victory in Saturday’s Race 27 – his first Supercars win in more than a year – before taking pole position and finishing third on Sunday.

Brown described it as “amazing” to bounce back with three podiums and admitted it was a welcome change to again be disappointed with third place.

He also believes Ipswich has put him back into championship contention.

“I personally think we have got a shot at the title still,” Brown said.

“This weekend shows we can win races and run up the front with the fast guys.

“We won a championship for a reason in ’24, and we’re still the same crew and people around.”

Kostecki was the other standout performer, winning Race 26 and recording second-place finishes in the remaining two races.

For Payne, however, Sunday delivered a cruel conclusion to a Sprint Cup campaign he had seemed certain to win.

“It just sucks,” Payne told Foxtel’s Jess Yates from pitlane.

“I felt like we did everything right today.”

Despite the disappointment, he remains confident Grove Racing can rebound through the endurance races and Finals.

Supercars now heads to The Bend for the AirTouch 500 from September 11-13, with Triple Eight suddenly carrying considerable momentum into the endurance season.

David Cauchi will return to Triple Eight Race Engineering as race engineer for Will Brown’s #888 Red Bull Ampol Racing Ford Mustang for the remainder of the 2026 Supercars season.

Cauchi, who spent 14 years with Triple Eight during his previous stint with the team, will step into the role following the promotion of Brown’s current race engineer Andrew Edwards to head of performance across both Red Bull Ampol Racing Supercars.

The experienced engineer will attend Triple Eight’s test day at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday, August 25, before returning to the Supercars paddock with the #888 garage and crew at The Bend.

Cauchi was previously with Triple Eight from 2007 until 2021 and worked as Jamie Whincup’s race engineer during his 2014 and 2017 Supercars championship-winning seasons.

He had moved to Melbourne-based Grove Racing – where he guided Matthew Payne and Garth Tander to victory at last year’s Bathurst 1000 – but decided to leave the sport and re-locate back to Brisbane at the end of last season. He said the opportunity to return to the team where he spent much of his career was difficult to refuse.

“I made the decision mid-way through last year to return to Brisbane, where I’ve been enjoying a full-time role outside of motorsport (this year),” Cauchi said.

“When Jamie called asking if I’d return to my motorsport home, as race engineer for car #888 on a part-time basis, it’s simply an opportunity that’s very hard to turn down.”

Cauchi said his long history with Triple Eight made the return particularly significant.

“I spent fourteen years at Triple Eight, seven of those as JDub’s Race Engineer, experienced many incredible highs and of course, some lows along the way. I’m both excited and grateful for the opportunity.”

His return comes at a crucial stage of the season, with the Enduro Cup looming and Scott Pye set to share the #888 Mustang with Brown.

“It’ll be a baptism of fire, straight into Enduro Cup part of the season but I can’t wait to work with Will, as well as some new and many old teammates,” Cauchi said.

The appointment forms part of a broader restructure of Triple Eight’s engineering resources as the team tackles its first season as Ford’s homologation team and engine supplier, running the Mustang Supercar package across three cars.

Edwards’ move into the head of performance position fills a role that had been vacant since Peter Ringwood was promoted to technical director following the departure of Jeromy Moore.

Edwards joined Triple Eight in 2022 after almost two decades at Brad Jones Racing and immediately enjoyed success as Shane van Gisbergen’s race engineer during his championship-winning season.

He subsequently teamed with Brown when the driver joined Triple Eight in 2024, helping guide him through a dominant campaign that included a podium at every event and ultimately the Supercars Drivers Championship.

Triple Eight managing director and team principal Jamie Whincup said both appointments were aimed at strengthening the team’s engineering depth.

“We’ve been looking to build engineering depth at Triple Eight for some time now,” Whincup said.

“This is a proud moment for everyone here at Triple Eight. Andrew is and has been for such a long time a key part of the business, the team and what we do.”

Whincup said Cauchi’s experience made him a valuable addition as Triple Eight enters the crucial final stages of the season.

“Cauchi started his apprenticeship here, has celebrated Championships with this team, and his experience in the sport is up there with the best.

“It’s about strengthening our engineering resources and process. That’s our key objective and we’re excited at what both Andrew and Cauchi can bring to these roles.”

Queensland racer Ben Gomersall will make his Supercars Championship debut at his home circuit this weekend, driving a Tickford Racing wildcard entry at Queensland Raceway.

Gomersall has unveiled the #5 UNIT Racing Ford Mustang he will race as the first event in a three-round wildcard program with Tickford Racing.

The Supercars debut represents another step in Gomersall’s relationship with the Melbourne-based operation. He currently competes with Tickford Autosport in the Dunlop Series, where he has scored three race podiums during 2026, including a recent round podium in Perth.

His Queensland Raceway appearance will also provide valuable preparation ahead of the Ryco Enduro Cup, where Gomersall is set to partner fellow Tickford Autosport driver Campbell Logan at The Bend 500.

The wildcard also marks a prominent return to Supercars for the UNIT Racing brand, which has supported a range of drivers in the championship over the past decade.

UNIT was last seen as the naming rights sponsor on a Main Game Supercar in 2021, although it has maintained smaller sponsorships within the championship and continued its backing of Gomersall across several categories.

Gomersall has previously carried UNIT branding while competing in Trans Am and TA2, as well as on his Tickford Autosport Gen2 Ford Mustang in the Dunlop Series.

For his Supercars debut, the familiar UNIT Racing blue has been incorporated into the wildcard Mustang’s livery alongside a matte black base.

Gomersall said making his championship debut in Queensland made the occasion particularly significant.

“I am really pumped to be making my Supercars debut at my home track in Queensland this week,” Gomersall said.

“There has been a lot building to this point and I cannot thank those enough who have supported me along the journey to get here.

“I am feeling really good and want to just get everything I can out of this weekend.”

Gomersall also praised Tickford Racing for preparing the #5 Mustang and said he was looking forward to racing in front of friends and family.

UNIT CEO Kamal Sarroff said the wildcard provided the company with an opportunity to increase its involvement in Supercars while supporting Gomersall’s championship debut.

“We are very excited to see the UNIT brand back on the side of a Main Game Supercar and supporting Ben in his Supercars debut,” Sarroff said.

Gomersall will officially begin his first Supercars Championship round when he takes to Queensland Raceway for Practice 1 on Friday afternoon.

Red Bull has extended its naming rights partnership with Triple Eight Race Engineering for another three years, continuing an association that began in 2013.

The renewed agreement will see Red Bull remain a key partner of the Red Bull Ampol Racing team, extending one of the longest-running major sponsorship relationships in the Supercars Championship.

Red Bull joined Triple Eight in 2013 and has since become closely associated with the team’s identity both on and off the track. During that period the squad has competed as Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Holden Racing and, most recently, Red Bull Ampol Racing.

The partnership has coincided with a highly successful period for Triple Eight, delivering nine Supercars Teams Championships, seven Drivers Championships with Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen and Will Brown, and four Bathurst 1000 victories.

Current drivers Brown and Broc Feeney are also Red Bull athletes and have both finished inside the top three in the Supercars Championship in each of the past two seasons.

The relationship has extended beyond Supercars racing, with a number of Red Bull Formula 1 drivers getting behind the wheel of Triple Eight Supercars, including Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Brendon Hartley.

More recently, Triple Eight took a Red Bull Ampol Racing Supercar to Europe for an 11-week promotional tour. The car appeared at events including the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix and Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Triple Eight managing director Jamie Whincup among those behind the wheel.

Whincup said the three-year extension reflected both the strength of the existing relationship and the partners’ ambitions for its future.

“Red Bull is one of the biggest and most respected forces in sports marketing anywhere in the world, so when they choose to back you for another three years, that’s not something we take lightly,” Whincup said.

“This partnership has always been about more than racing. It’s been about sharing the journey with Red Bull, the successes and the challenges alike.”

Whincup said Triple Eight was focused on taking the partnership further rather than simply protecting what had already been achieved.

“History matters, but for me this extension is about what’s next,” he said.

“We’re not here to protect what we’ve built – we’re here to take this partnership to another level, on the track and off it.”

A collection of significant historic racing cars will add another dimension to the Ipswich Super 440 when Supercars returns to Queensland Raceway from August 21-23.

Among the headline attractions will be a Group C-era Porsche 962C, a rare Simtek S951 Formula One car and Glenn Seton’s 1994-95 GSR5 Ford EF Falcon, with fans able to see machinery representing very different periods of international and Australian motorsport.

Queensland Raceway owner Tony Quinn will provide two of the standout cars from his collection, led by the Porsche 962C. The famous sports prototype will not simply remain static, with the car scheduled to conduct demonstration laps on Saturday before returning to the paddock display.

The Porsche 962 was one of the defining sports racing cars of the Group C era and its appearance will give Australian fans a rare opportunity to experience one in action.

Also coming from Quinn’s collection is a Simtek S951 Formula One car raced by Jos Verstappen during the 1995 F1 season. Unlike the Porsche, the Simtek will remain on display in the paddock throughout the weekend.

Australian touring car history will be represented by Seton’s Ford EF Falcon, which will have particular relevance during a weekend when his son Aaron Seton makes a Supercars wildcard appearance for Matt Stone Racing.

Glenn Seton will join Aaron for a special appearance alongside the Falcon on Sunday from 1pm to 1.20pm, giving fans an opportunity to meet the father-and-son pairing and see one of the cars associated with Seton’s successful touring car career.

The historic machinery forms part of an expanded entertainment program surrounding the Supercars action. The weekend will also include driver signing sessions, fireworks following Saturday’s racing, a ferris wheel overlooking the circuit and demonstrations from the Hot Wheels Stunt Team.

On track, the Ipswich event will feature three Supercars races across Saturday and Sunday, supported by Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Trans Am, Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup and Aussie Racing Cars.

The event will also decide the Repco Sprint Cup, with Matt Payne heading to Queensland Raceway holding a 118-point advantage over Broc Feeney.