AutoAction
FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINE SIGN UP

Bates braced for frantic debut

Bates

By Thomas Miles

Zach Bates is ready for the biggest weekend of his life both on and off the track as he makes his Supercars debut at Queensland Raceway this weekend.

Bates will drive the Triple Eight Supercheap Auto wildcard during the Ipswich Super440 in a solo steer in preparation for the enduros campaign alongside Craig Lowndes.

This means the 2024 Super2 champion could compete in up to 12 Supercars sessions across the weekend.

But that figure will grow to 18 as he will carry on racing in the #1 Eggleston Motorsport ZB Commodore in the Super2 Series.

Bates admits the nerves are starting to build ahead of a massive weekend and he is looking forward to the challenge.

“It is very surreal,” he said.

“It is what we have worked towards, so it is great to make by Supercars debut, especially with Triple Eight and Supercheap Auto.

“Nerves are starting to kick in and caught up with the team earlier this week for a pre brief, so it has been very cool to see that side of things.

“I am so fortunate to lean on guys like Will, Broc and Craig.

“They are at the top of their games right now, so it is very special to find out how they are doing it.

“Three races make it a very busy weekend on its own, let alone adding Super2, so I will be running around like a headless chicken, but one of the positives of being on TV a lot of the time.

“I am fortunate that the heat will not be incredibly high, so that is on my side.

“It will be a huge task being a debut weekend in Supercars in addition to Super2.

“It will be a challenge, but hopefully I can do a good job.”

The Bates name is famous in Australian motorsport Zach’s father Rick, Uncle Neal, and cousins Harry and Lewis all stars of the Australian Rally Championship with a combined eight titles.

But there is also plenty of Supercars history with both Rick and Neal competing in the Bathurst 1000 through the 1990s and 2000s with the last Great Race start 2003.

Second generation racer Zach is honoured to carry on the legacy.

“It has been a while since dad raced in Supercars, doing a few Bathursts,” he said.

“The family is more known for the rallying, but both Neal and my dad Rick have done some circuit racing and Supercars.

“To have the name back in Supercars is very special, and hopefully I can fly the flag nice and high.”

Image: Supplied

2025 Ipswich Super440 (All Times AEST)

Friday 8 August

12:05pm, Practice 1 (30 mins)
2:35pm, Practice 2 (30 mins)

Saturday 9 August

9:30am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 23 (10 mins)
9:50am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 23 (10 mins)
10:20am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 24 (10 mins)
10:40am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 24 (10 mins)
12:45pm, Race 23 – 39 laps (120 km)
4:10pm, Race 24 – 39 laps (120 km)

Sunday 10 August

10:20am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 25 (10 mins)
10:40am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 25 (10 mins)
11:40am, Qualifying Part 3 – Race 25 Top Ten Shootout (30 mins)
3:15pm, Race 25 – 63 laps (200 km)

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.