2025 Bathurst 1000 combatants trade barbs at 2026 event launch
Matt Payne, David Reynolds, James Golding, Cooper Murray fought for '25 win
Payne outlasted rivals to win with Garth Tander, Golding penalised
Scenes of the remarkable climax of last year’s Great Race still linger for the race’s four combatants, who helped launch the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000.
The October 8-11 event was launched in Sydney on Wednesday, with Matt Payne, David Reynolds, James Golding and Cooper Murray — who vied for victory in an epic conclusion — all featuring at the launch.
After a day of filming at Mount Panorama on Tuesday, the quartet were on site in Sydney, and watched through the final moments of the 2025 race with guests.
Payne secured victory despite crossing the line behind Golding, who was penalised over a clash with Murray five laps from home. Reynolds, meanwhile, was cut off by Payne at The Cutting on the final lap.
While Payne and Reynolds are good friends, the move irked the latter at the time. The broadcast cut to Reynolds’ garage, where Team 18 crew remonstrated over the contact.
Nearly exactly a year on, Reynolds didn’t let Payne off the hook.
“It still gives you goosebumps watching that back,” Payne said at the launch.
“Seeing the last lap, seeing everything that transpired, every decision that was made, racing with Dave on the last lap."
Reynolds interjected: "But crashing into me was a good decision?”
Payne retorted: "I was winning it, mate. Don't worry."
The final lap battle was set up by the controversial Golding/Murray incident, which saw both drivers offer their sides of the story immediately after the race. Murray was in tears post-race, while Golding was in disbelief.
Golding, though, maintains he has no regrets over his move, even if it cost him the win.
“It's a bit of a weird one. I don't think I've ever had that, crossing the line first and then not getting to get the trophy,” Golding said.
“It was just a whirlwind race. The relief it was over as well. Obviously had the incident with Cooper, but looking back on it, I don't regret it for a second.”
When asked about the incident, Murray referenced quotes made famous by Reynolds over a 2015 clash with Shane van Gisbergen, grinning: “As Reynolds once said, ‘He's dead to me, bro’.
“But no, to be in that position to begin with was such an honour, but yeah, I just really couldn't believe what was happening.
“Leading the Bathurst 1000 in the wet, it was some of the toughest conditions that I've ever driven in, personally, in my career.
"I was loving every moment of it until Jimmy braked a little bit too late and ran straight into me. You seen later on that last lap, we braked at the same brake marker and I wasn't there to hit and he ran straight wide.”
