Bathurst launch strikes the right note
Bathurst always stirs the soul, but the official 2025 launch lifted it to another level.
Sydney’s historic ballroom, a venue better known for political triumphs than pit lane drama, became the stage for a symphony of motorsport on Monday night. The Sydney Lyric Orchestra provided the soundtrack, Neil Crompton the vision, and Toyota’s all-new GR Supra Supercar the star turn, a car that also graces the cover of this week’s Auto Action Premium.
The evening had glitz and glamour, but it was never just a cocktail party. It was theatre. The orchestra roared through Nothing Else Matters and Stairway to Heaven, their power shaking the room, before pausing for the moment that defined the night.
A tribute to Peter Brock, Bathurst’s eternal hero, filled the ballroom. To the strains of Simply the Best, images of Brock’s triumphs played across the screen, his nine Bathurst victories condensed into a heartbeat of emotion. Brock has been gone nearly two decades, but the connection remains raw. The mountain still belongs to him, and the tribute tapped straight into the soul of the event.
It was a reminder that Bathurst is not just another race. It is history and memory, triumph and tragedy, all wound into a 6.2-kilometre strip of tarmac. The launch understood that and leaned into it.
The stars of today were all there, the leading drivers, team bosses, and powerbrokers of the sport, but for once they played second fiddle (pun intended). The orchestra carried the night. Crompton’s idea to marry motorsport with live symphony might have seemed a gamble, but it worked. It turned the launch into a celebration of the spirit of Bathurst rather than a corporate presentation.
The day started early with a media call overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge.
TV Deal Announced
The announcements outside of Bathurst mattered too. The biggest came when Supercars confirmed its record-breaking new broadcast deal with the Foxtel Group and Seven West Media.
The numbers are staggering. Every race will be live and ad-break free during racing on Kayo Sports and Foxtel, with all coverage available in ultra-high definition. Marquee events, the Bathurst 1000, the Gold Coast 500 and the Adelaide Grand Final, will stay live and free on Seven and 7plus, ensuring the Great Race remains a national moment.
Supercars CEO James Warburton was emphatic. “This is a monumental day for Supercars and our fans across Australia. This multi-year deal secures our future, delivers unprecedented access, and elevates how we showcase our sport. The agreement with Foxtel Group and Seven is not only the biggest in our history, but demonstrates the strength, popularity and future potential of our category.”
Warburton pointed to the future. “The next phase for Supercars will be among the most exciting in our history. In 2026 Toyota, the world’s largest automotive brand, joins the grid. We’ll debut on New Zealand’s South Island with a spectacular Christchurch event as part of a double-header across the Tasman, introduce the new-look Finals Series, and explore opportunities for season-opening events at world-class venues.”
Momentum is everything in motorsport, and the deal locks in the fuel Supercars needs. Internationally, the category now reaches 325 million homes across 128 countries. Domestically, Seven’s Supercars coverage is already up seven per cent year-on-year, with 4.8 million viewers in 2025 before Bathurst has even run.
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said the platform would keep delivering value. “2025 marks a decade since we redefined the fan experience for Supercars. Australians love live and local sport and Supercars is certainly in the first tier of premium Australian fan experience sports. As Supercars shifts into an exciting new era, our Kayo Sports customers are in the driver’s seat to enjoy every moment of the Championship, with uninterrupted access to every thrilling lap.”
He underlined the scale. “Nowhere else in the world can fans access every race of F1, MotoGP, NASCAR, World Superbikes, and the beloved local Supercars series, all live, on a single streaming platform. This unparalleled line-up delivers extraordinary value for our subscribers.”
Seven West Media CEO Jeff Howard leaned on the network’s long history with the category. “We’re passionate about motorsport at Seven, and there’s no greater motorsport in Australia than Supercars. For more than 50 years, we have worked closely with Supercars to bring innovative, world-class coverage to all Australians – live and free.”
Howard said the timing was perfect. “It comes at an exciting time for Supercars, with the first Finals Series later this year, the prospect of a Perth Stadium race and, of course, the addition of Toyota to the championship. The latter will be a true game changer and will take this great sport to a whole new level.”
Toyota Supra-car
And that brought the night back to Toyota. The orchestra may have stolen the show, but the Supra stole the spotlight. Sleek in black, the GR Supra Supercar was revealed in all its glory, confirming the long-rumoured arrival of the Japanese giant. The Supra is no longer in showrooms, but it remains the halo of the Gazoo Racing brand — and Bathurst is the perfect stage for its rebirth.
The car will grace the cover of Auto Action Premium this week, a statement of its importance to the next chapter of the sport. For Toyota, it’s about claiming a seat at Australia’s most tribal table. For Supercars, it’s about breaking into new markets and fan bases.
The Supra’s unveiling alongside the broadcast deal and the Brock tribute tied the strands together neatly. Past, present, and future, all in one night.
Bathurst thrives on emotion, and the launch leaned into it. The tribute to Brock was raw, the Supra was slick, the broadcast deal was solid, and the orchestra was soaring. If the race in October is anywhere near as good as the show that launched it, fans are in for a cracker.
Toyota’s Sean Hanley and Supercars Chairman Barclay Nettlefold look over the new Supra.
