SpeedSUVs.com — Preparations for the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 are gaining significant momentum as 49 drivers have formally secured their spots across 26 cars. The grid consists of the 24 full-time Supercars entries alongside confirmed wildcard efforts from Team 18 and Garry Rogers Motorsport. With major driver realignments across legendary teams and fresh talent stepping up, the lineup sets the stage for a compelling endurance battle at Mount Panorama.
Key Driver Roster Movements and Strategic Partnerships
Triple Eight Race Engineering has revamped its co-driver lineup by re-signing Scott Pye to share the wheel with Will Brown in the #888 entry, while recruiting Nick Percat to replace Jamie Whincup alongside Broc Feeney in the #88 car. In addition, Jack Perkins joins Jackson Walls in the team’s third SCT-backed entry. Walkinshaw TWG Racing brings a balance of continuity and transition under its Toyota banner, bringing back Fabian Coulthard to partner Chaz Mostert in Car #1, and signing Jaxon Evans to join Ryan Wood in Car #2 following Jayden Ojeda’s departure to PremiAir Racing.
Reigning victory team Grove Racing undergoes a complete co-driver transformation after Garth Tander announced his retirement and Dale Wood was released. The team has recruited seasoned competitors Will Davison to pair with Matt Payne in Car #19, and Tim Slade to partner Kai Allen in Car #26. Meanwhile, Team 18 secured high-profile signings by bringing James Courtney into Car #20 with David Reynolds and retaining Lee Holdsworth alongside Anton De Pasquale in Car #18. Team 18 will also run a headline wildcard entry with veteran Craig Lowndes teaming up with Bayley Hall.
Other significant paddock shifts include Richie Stanaway joining Blanchard Racing Team to reunite with former teammate James Golding in Car #7, while Zak Best remains alongside Aaron Cameron in Car #3. Matt Stone Racing combines experience and emerging talent, pairing Jack Le Brocq with Cameron Crick in Car #4, while rookie Zach Bates teams with Aaron Seton in Car #10. Tickford Racing retains Mark Winterbottom alongside Cam Waters in Car #6, but replaces James Moffat with Reuben Goodall to pair with Thomas Randle in Car #55. Moffat transitions to Garry Rogers Motorsport’s wildcard entry alongside Nathan Herne in Car #34.
Roster Strengths and Roster Uncertainties
Evaluating the confirmed grid highlights clear strengths alongside unresolved questions across the teams.
- Roster Strengths: Dick Johnson Racing and PremiAir Racing offer maximum operational stability by keeping completely unchanged co-driver pairings. Teams securing former full-time champions and race winners like Percat, Winterbottom, Davison, Courtney, and Coulthard gain immense endurance racing experience.
- Operational Challenges: Squads undergoing total co-driver overhauls, such as Grove Racing, must quickly establish new intra-team dynamics. Furthermore, Brad Jones Racing enters the preparation phase with pending co-driver vacancies across three Toyota entries (Cars #8, #14, and #96), leaving crucial endurance seats yet to be confirmed.
Schedule Overview and Final Outlook
The 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 is scheduled to take place from October 8 to 11 at the famous Mount Panorama Circuit. The Great Race marks the decisive second half of the 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup, following the opening 500-kilometer endurance race at The Bend in September. With a mixture of proven championship veterans, high-profile wildcards, and debut co-drivers, the 2026 grid promises an exceptionally tight competitive contest where execution and strategy will decide the endurance champions.
