Bates ready for Super driver
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 6 July 2025
Zach Bates has ‘prepared more than ever’ for his upcoming Supercars debut with Triple Eight after the wildcard livery reveal.
Bates will be the fourth and final youngster to be taken under the wing of Craig Lowndes in the Supercheap Auto Camaro wildcard before the veteran leaves Triple Eight at the end of 2025.
The 21-year-old has already achieved a lot in the pathway to Supercars, winning the 2024 Super2 title for WAU.
But his big shot comes in 2025 when he will follow in the footsteps of Broc Feeney, Declan Fraser, Zane Goddard and Cooper Murray in steering the #888 wildcard.
He will get a first solo round at the Ipswich Super440 event in August, the final round of the Sprint Cup.
To prepare for the debut, Bates will enjoy a test day at Queensland Raceway in July.
The livery Zach Bates will race with at Queensland Raceway. Image: Supplied
The car he will also share with Lowndes at the Bend and Bathurst enduros will carry on the familar and trademark red paint scheme Supercheap Auto and Triple Eight have run since the wildcard started.
Bates admits he has worked harder than ever for the big drive.
“It’s been a long-anticipated wait, but it’s definitely worth the wait,” he said.
“The second half of the year is going to be extremely exciting for the whole team.
“I’m very excited to represent Supercheap Auto and Triple Eight as we go into the Enduro season and a solo Wildcard appearance.
“The car looks awesome as always, and it’s exciting to see how much effort Supercheap Auto put into these launch events, it really is second to none for a smaller wildcard program such as this one.
“It’s obviously an extremely exciting opportunity for me. I don’t think I’ve ever prepared as much as I have to be ready.
“The Triple Eight crew have been super welcoming at the workshop, and the Supercheap Auto team have been so awesome in getting me involved in everything.
“I am joining one of the most successful teams in Supercars and it’s this program is huge for my development – let alone teaming up with a guy like Craig Lowndes. It’s truly a dream come true, bring it on!”
With Bates having two and a half years of Super2 experience behind him, Lowndes feels like his latest co-driver is already a step ahead.
“The benefit this year for the Wildcard program is that Zach has a Super2 Championship under his belt,” Lowndes said.
“He comes with another twelve months of experience on that side of it. He’s very mature. I also think that he understands the program because he sees what’s been going on over the last couple of years.
“I’m really excited about using this as a platform for him to go further in his career like the drivers have in the past.”
Zach Bates, Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes at the wildcard launch event.
Triple Eight Managing Director Jamie Whincup has put the pressure on, stating there are “no excuses” with the personnel on the #888.
“We’re excited for the fifth year of the Wildcard campaign. We’re really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve with the Supercheap Auto Wildcard program to date,” he said.
“There’s been some incredible results, and it’s an enjoyable program for us to run each year, and we love representing Supercheap Auto, alongside all of their valued Trade Partners that come onboard for the program.
“We’ve got big expectations on the program. We want to get results of course, but we want to be just as good off track as we are on track.
“We have got some of the best crew in the entire field with the Wildcard program in Ty Freele and Wes McDougall who both understand how to win and have shown that for a long period of time.
“A great crew, paired again with Craig Lowndes, who we know always rises to the occasion. So, there’s no excuses – we’ll give it absolutely everything it deserves.”
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