Bates’ biggest lesson from wildcard test
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 29 July 2025
Preparation for the upcoming Enduro Cup is in full swing after Zach Bates enjoyed his first drive of the wildcard at Queensland Raceway.
Bates had his first steer of the Supercheap Auto Triple Eight wildcard Camaro alongside Craig Lowndes.
It needed to take place at Queensland Raceway, given Bates will also steer it in a solo round in the upcoming Ipswich Super440.
The likes of PremiAir were also on track as the eighth round dawns in less than a fortnight.
Bates said getting accustomed to the tyres was the biggest learning curve.
“It’s been a big day. First one of the season, which is so exciting,” he said.
“The Supercheap Auto rocket was great. We worked through our processes today, aiming to get me comfy, and it all ended up really good. So, we’ll see a short turnaround to next week, but nonetheless, very, very excited.
“I am very fortunate to be able to come and test at the track I’ll be racing at within such a short period of time as well.
“It was good to have both Andrew (Edwards) and Marty (Short) here as well to crunch through the data with. They’ve got a pretty big interest in how it’s going to go for next week with them. So, hopefully, I’ve helped them out somehow.
I am always impressed with how great the team did today, but for me personally, the biggest learning comes in getting on top of these tyre compounds.
Zach Bates testing the #888 Camaro. Image: Supplied
“We’re using the soft and super soft in the main game, and then in Super2, we use the hard tyre. “So it was very interesting to see what these tires can do, but at the same time, learn how to maximise them both.
“We have a little bit of a break now, so we’ll go debrief and, uh, see what we can improve on.”
Showing him the ropes was veteran Lowndes, who said the focus was on the youngster.
“It’s been a great day. We were finally able to get Zach in the car and a full day of testing as well,” Lowndes said.
“He’s progressed very well today in the sense of just getting his head around the way the team operate the car and the number of changes that the team gave him to trial. His input and feedback was fantastic.
“I think it’s gonna be an exciting weekend at Queensland Raceway for Zach to have his solo weekend.
“It’s a fantastic chance for him to really just focus on himself and improve himself with the team.
“It also gives me a lot of confidence going into the enduros now, knowing and seeing what he’s like and the way he reads the car.
“Zach is extremely precise about what he wants, and it gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”
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