Supercars - Bathurst 1000

The Bathurst 1000 returns to Mount Panorama Circuit in 2026 as Australia's premier endurance race for v8supercars. This year brings a major development with Toyota joining the competition alongside Ford and Chevrolet, marking the first time three manufacturers will compete in the Repco Bathurst 1000. The race will cover 1000 kilometres across 161 laps of the challenging Mount Panorama Circuit, testing driver skill and team strategy over multiple hours of intense competition.

The Mount Panorama Circuit

Mount Panorama Circuit, also known by its dual official name Mount Panorama/Wahluu, measures 6.213 kilometres. The circuit sits in Bathurst, New South Wales, and serves as a public road for most of the year with a 60 km/h speed limit. More than 40 private residences and businesses are located around the track.

The track features dramatic elevation changes that define its character. The circuit climbs 174 meters from Pit Straight to its highest point at Skyline, with gradients as steep as 1 in 6.13, or approximately 16.3%. Drivers navigate 23 corners in an anti-clockwise direction.

Notable Circuit Sections

Hell Corner opens each lap with a tight, demanding turn. The Esses lead drivers into The Dipper, a challenging section that requires precise car control. Sulman Park and Forrest's Elbow test braking and cornering ability.

Conrod Straight stretches 1.916 kilometres and allows v8supercars to exceed 300 km/h before drivers brake hard for The Chase chicane. Mountain Straight measures 1.111 kilometres, where cars reach speeds up to 250 km/h. These high-speed sections contrast sharply with the technical corners, creating a circuit that demands complete driver focus.

Manufacturer Competition in 2026

The 2026 Bathurst 1000 will feature three manufacturers competing for victory. Ford fields eleven S650 Mustang GTs, Chevrolet enters eight Camaro ZL1-1LEs, and Toyota debuts five GR Supra Supercars in their first Supercars Championship season.

Ford Teams

Red Bull Ampol Racing serves as the homologation team for Ford. Shell V-Power Racing Team, Tickford Racing, Penrite Racing, Blanchard Racing Team, and SCT Motorsport will campaign Mustang GTs. SCT Motorsport receives support from Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Chevrolet Teams

Team 18 handles homologation duties for Chevrolet. Erebus Motorsport, Matt Stone Racing, and Nulon Racing also run Camaro entries. Craig Lowndes joins Team 18 as a co-driver for the endurance race.

Toyota Entry

Toyota GAZOO Racing makes its debut in the 2026 Supercars Championship. Walkinshaw Andretti United serves as the homologation team for the GR Supra Supercars. Brad Jones Racing will also field GR Supra entries. Jaxon Evans has been confirmed as a co-driver for Walkinshaw Andretti United.

Gen3 Technical Specifications

The 2026 Bathurst 1000 runs under Gen3 regulations in their fourth season. Gen3 Supercars feature increased road relevance with body elements like doors, roofs, windows, and bonnets that closely match their road-going counterparts.

All v8supercars use naturally aspirated V8 engines. The Toyota GR Supra features a 5.2-litre V8 engine (2UR-GSE) with quad camshafts and hydraulic variable valve timing. Power output reaches approximately 600 horsepower across all manufacturers.

These race cars accelerate from 0-100 km/h in about 3.4 seconds and achieve top speeds exceeding 300 km/h. The Toyota GR Supra weighs 1335 kg. For Enduro Cup rounds like the Bathurst 1000, fuel capacity is set at 121 litres, which adds strategic complexity to the 1000-kilometre race distance.

Race Format and Competition

The Bathurst 1000 forms a key component of the Ryco Enduro Cup within the Supercars Championship. The race requires teams to manage 161 laps of Mount Panorama Circuit, with each team fielding two drivers who share driving duties.

No Bathurst 1000 race has ever been completed in under five hours, highlighting the endurance challenge this event presents. Teams must balance speed with reliability, fuel strategy, and tire management across the full race distance.

History of "The Great Race"

The Bathurst 1000 began as the Armstrong 500-mile race in 1960 at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The event moved to Mount Panorama Circuit in 1963. In 1973, organizers extended the race distance to 1000 kilometres, establishing the modern format.

Winners receive the Peter Brock Trophy, named after Peter Brock who earned the title "King of the Mountain" with nine Bathurst victories. The rivalry between Ford and Holden defined many years of competition, with Holden securing more than half of all victories before the brand departed Supercars.

Mount Panorama was built in 1938 as a scenic tourist drive, not as a racetrack. The first event held there was the Australian Tourist Trophy for motorcycles. The circuit's transformation into one of motorsport's most demanding venues happened gradually through regular racing events.

Unique Aspects of the Event

Only two drivers in Bathurst 1000 history have won the race driving solo: Allan Moffat achieved this twice, and Peter Brock once. Modern regulations require two drivers per car, making this achievement impossible to repeat.

The 1000-kilometre distance resonated with Australians as a common road trip distance between major cities. This helped establish the race's connection with the Australian public.

Conrod Straight received its name after a connecting rod failure ended a competitor's race in 1939. This piece of motorsport history remains part of the circuit's identity.

In both 1997 and 1998, two separate Bathurst 1000 races were held each year due to organizational disputes. Both races from each year are officially counted in the event's records.

The 2000 race holds the record for the most Safety Car periods at 13. The 2006 race saw 45 laps completed under Safety Car conditions, the highest number of Safety Car laps in Bathurst 1000 history.

What to Expect in 2026

The 2026 Bathurst 1000 promises compelling competition with three manufacturers on the grid. Toyota's debut adds a new dimension to the traditional Ford versus Chevrolet battle that replaced the historic Ford versus Holden rivalry.

The Supercars Championship will run 37 races across 14 rounds in 2026, making it one of the largest calendars in over a decade. The Bathurst 1000 stands as the marquee event within this expanded season.

Driver and co-driver pairings for the endurance race will be announced closer to the event. The combination of established champions and emerging talent creates a competitive field across all three manufacturers.

Mount Panorama Circuit continues to challenge even the most experienced drivers. The combination of high-speed straights, technical corners, and elevation changes demands respect. Teams that master the circuit's unique characteristics while managing race strategy will compete for the Peter Brock Trophy.