2026 field has 13 winless drivers who have made 10 or more starts
Paul Morris set record in 2014, winning on his 22nd Bathurst attempt
Luke Youlden, Lee Holdsworth needed 18 starts before first win
Several drivers return to the Mountain shooting for a long-awaited first Repco Bathurst 1000 victory.
The 2026 field has 13 drivers who have made 10 or more starts, and have so far, failed to stand on the top step.
Of the 13, five are full-timers: Cam Waters (13 starts), Andre Heimgartner (12), Macauley Jones (11), Jack Le Brocq (11) and James Golding (10).
Fans believe a new name's time is coming, with 80% of fans tipping there will be a first-time winner in 2026.
Veteran co-drivers Fabian Coulthard (22 starts), Tony D'Alberto (21), James Courtney (20) and Jack Perkins (20) have also done their fair share of waiting.
If Coulthard wins — and given his recent AirTouch 500 at The Bend performance, it's likely — he would break new ground, beating Paul Morris' record of most starts before victory No. 1.
Morris needed 22 attempts to win, finally breaking through — even after crashing — alongside Chaz Mostert in 2014. For Mostert, that was start No. 2.
Luke Youlden and Lee Holdsworth both needed 18 starts, with Allan Grice (17 starts), John Harvey, Paul Dumbrell, John French and Shane van Gisbergen all winning after 14 starts.
Track action at the Mountain commences on Thursday October 8.
Most starts before first Bathurst 1000 win
Correct to 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000
Starts | Driver | Debut | First win |
|---|---|---|---|
22 | Paul Morris | 1991 | 2014 |
18 | Luke Youlden | 2000 | 2017 |
18 | Lee Holdsworth | 2004 | 2021 |
17 | Allan Grice | 1968 | 1986 |
14 | John Harvey | 1965 | 1983 |
14 | John French | 1960 | 1981 |
14 | Paul Dumbrell | 1999 | 2012 |
14 | Shane van Gisbergen | 2007 | 2020 |
12 | Gregg Hansford | 1982 | 1993 |
11 | Mark Winterbottom | 2003 | 2013 |
11 | Jonathon Webb | 2006 | 2016 |
11 | David Reynolds | 2007 | 2017 |
Most starts by winless 2026 drivers
Correct to 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000
Starts | Driver | Debut | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
22 | Fabian Coulthard | 2004 | 2nd |
21 | Tony D'Alberto | 2005 | 3rd |
20 | Jack Perkins | 2006 | 3rd |
20 | James Courtney | 2005 | 2nd |
17 | Tim Slade | 2009 | 5th |
16 | David Russell | 2003 | 2nd |
16 | James Moffat | 2009 | 2nd |
14 | Scott Pye | 2013 | 2nd |
13 | Cam Waters | 2011 | 2nd |
12 | Andre Heimgartner | 2014 | 7th |
11 | Macauley Jones | 2014 | 7th |
11 | Jack Le Brocq | 2014 | 4th |
10 | James Golding | 2016 | 3rd |
