This year’s Repco Bathurst 1000 has delivered a remarkable weekend of results for Bendix, with young racing driver, Zach Bates, supported by co-driver, Aaron Seton, piloting the number 10 Bendix Racing Chevrolet Camaro to several record-braking performances.
On Friday, Zach made history by setting the fastest lap of the Gen3 Supercars era on the mountain, clocking an incredible 2:03.9376 and securing provisional pole position. The excitement continued the following day with Zach again topping the timesheets in the Top 10 Shootout, claiming outright pole position for the great race against some of the country’s best drivers.
Capping off an extraordinary weekend, Zach and Aaron drove fast, smoothly and consistently on the Sunday, bringing the #10 Bendix Racing Camaro home in P3 to secure a podium finish after a late safety car incident bunched the field.
Bendix Racing Driver, Zach Bates and Co-Driver, Aaron Seton, occupy the podium after Sunday's race.
Zach said the weekend’s amazing results were a true team effort.
“The team’s overall execution over the whole weekend was fantastic – right from the beginning we rolled the car off the transporter and we were fast, and then from there we made small adjustments,” he explained.
“To be honest, the result was beyond expectation; it’s such a competitive series that it doesn’t take much to swing the tide for or against you – going into the race we were hopeful of a solid top 10 placing and believed we could accomplish this.
“Achieving P3 felt amazing and shows that we’re capable of competing at the pointy end of the field – it gives us confidence for the remaining series rounds.
“I thank Bendix for its ongoing support; it’s a close relationship based on our shared values of striving for excellence and we’ll be working hard to continue building our impact within the Supercars category together.”
(From l to r) FMP Group Australia Aftermarket Sales Manager, Ian Stokes; FMP Group Australia National Sales Manager, Adam Rickard; Bendix Racing Driver, Zach Bates; FMP Group Australia Vice President - Asia Pacific, George Kyriakopoulos and FMP Group Australia Marketing Business & Strategy Manager, Sabih Haider.
Zach’s Top 10 Shootout – Quickfire Q & A
First Car
A 2016 Toyota Hilux that I still use now, it’s showing 350,000kms so just run-in!
Dream Car
Realistically, maybe an Audi RS6, but the real dream car is a Ferrari F40.
Any project cars?
Dad and I are working on a Porsche 912 – it’s a runner but needs some TLC.
Are you handy on the spanners?
I think I’m ok, but the workshop boys would hide the spanners from me for sure.
Sporting hero growing up
Rally driver Sebastian Loeb – such a talented driver with a cool and calm demeanor.
What Supercars competitor do you admire most?
Will Brown. He’s helped me so much during my motorsport journey.
What’s your ultimate motorsport goal?
To win a Supercars championship.
Favourite quote
“We were quicker than a sneeze through a flyscreen” – Scott McLaughlin
Favourite music / artist
Calvin Harris and Rufus Du Sol.
Do you have any pets?
Yep, Doug the black Labrador, he causes complete carnage and eats everything.
Bendix Racing's 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 achievements including setting the fastest lap of the Gen3 Supercars era on the mountain to secure provisional pole; first place in the Top 10 Shootout and third place in Sunday's race.