2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 pays tribute to Peter Brock, 20 years since passing
Event-wide tributes to celebrate Brock’s life, career and connection to Bathurst
‘Brock Experience’ to feature original race cars and historic vision
The countdown is on to the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000, as Supercars fans across Australasia and the world prepare for the 66th edition of Australia’s Great Race.
The Bathurst 1000 is the motor race that stops a nation, where all eyes turn to Mount Panorama as the country’s best teams and drivers tackle one of the world’s most revered and challenging circuits in a 1000-kilometre battle of speed and endurance.
This year’s event is also set to honour the life and legacy of Peter Brock, marking 20 years since the passing of the nine-time winner forever known as the 'King of the Mountain'.
Returning to Mount Panorama from 8-11 October, this year’s Great Race will place Brock’s immense contribution to Bathurst and Australian motorsport at the centre of a program of tributes across the circuit and CBD.
For more than six decades, Bathurst has occupied a unique place in Australian sport, attracting generations of fans to Mount Panorama and creating household names whose achievements have become part of the nation’s sporting folklore.
Brock’s record nine Bathurst 1000 victories helped build the mythology of Mount Panorama and inspired generations of drivers and fans. This year’s event will celebrate that legacy through numerous displays and activities, ensuring Brock remains front and centre throughout race week.
‘Brock Experience’ to lead tributes across Bathurst
A dedicated ‘Brock Experience’ and associated activations are planned to transform sections of Bathurst into an immersive celebration of the motorsport icon.
Attractions include ‘Peter’s Pitlane’ – which adjoins the National Motor Racing Museum and will feature a line-up of original race cars that Brock drove, and displays of historic vision of his most heroic moments.
In addition, ‘Brocky’s Helmet’, a large-scale dome structure where fans can interact further and celebrate milestones from Brock’s career, will feature in Church Street, Bathurst.
This represents a special project for 2026, proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW. The Open Streets Program aims to transform streets into vibrant, walkable public spaces for people to enjoy and safely access through free community events and activations.
Supercars has also collaborated with renowned Victorian artist David Bromley, who has created a range of bespoke artworks paying tribute to the life and legacy of Bathurst’s most decorated racer.
Supercars Chairman Barclay Nettlefold said honouring a legend would appropriately set the stage for another intriguing edition of The Great Race.
“The Repco Bathurst 1000 is the motor race that stops a nation,” Nettlefold said.
“It is a national institution and one of the most important sporting events in the country and the world.
“This year's event will be particularly special as we celebrate the life and legacy of Peter Brock, whose influence on Bathurst and Australian motorsport remains unmatched.
“We look forward to putting on an unforgettable show both on and off track and providing something for every fan, from those returning to the Mountain to those visiting for the first time.”
Last year's race produced one of the most extraordinary finishes in history, with Matt Payne and co-driver Garth Tander emerging victorious for Grove Racing amid constantly changing weather conditions and a captivating contest involving David Reynolds, James Golding and Cooper Murray.
With Bathurst serving as the final event before the 2026 Repco Supercars Finals Series, every point and position on track will be significant. Drivers will arrive at Mount Panorama aware their title aspirations could be determined across 161 laps around Australia's most demanding circuit.
Wayne Bryant, CEO of Repco – the naming rights partner of both the race and the Supercars Championship – said he looked forward to a celebration of motorsport at this year’s event.
“The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship has already delivered some enthralling racing, but the ultimate test awaits at Bathurst, and we can’t wait to again be part of the festivities and honour legends both past and present at what is shaping up to be another memorable encounter at Mount Panorama,” Bryant said.
Activities abound for fans and families
Away from the racing, fans can look forward to a packed week of activities both on and off the Mountain. Aside from elements celebrating the life of Peter Brock, attractions include community celebrations, Track to Town activities, public activations throughout Bathurst, entertainment initiatives and assorted experiences.
More than 25,000 campers are expected to once again call Mount Panorama home during race week, helping create the unique atmosphere that has become synonymous with Bathurst.
This year, campers have the option to remain onsite until 10:00am on the Tuesday after the race, extended from the traditional departure time of 12:00pm on Monday. The change is aimed to ease traffic congestion while giving campers the flexibility to delay their departure and enjoy Bathurst and its entertainment offering for another day.
Supercars continues to collaborate closely with the NSW Government, Destination NSW, Bathurst Regional Council and Transport for NSW to assist visitors and racegoers.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: “The Bathurst 1000 is one of the nation’s most iconic sporting events, and year after year it attracts thousands of visitors who not only experience the excitement of the racing on Mount Panorama, but also the best of the NSW Central West while they’re in town.
“The Minns Labor Government is proud to support the Bathurst 1000. Its recognition as a Hallmark Event reflects its significance on the NSW major events calendar and the vital contribution it makes each year to the state’s regional visitor economy.”
Minister for Transport John Graham added: “The Bathurst 1000 is one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events and very deserving of its Hallmark Event status.
“The Minns Labor Government is excited to be supporting the free Brock Experience on the streets of Bathurst, allowing even more people to experience the excitement and the history of the Bathurst 1000.”
Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council Robert Taylor said the event was as a showpiece for the region.
“The Repco Bathurst 1000 is a tremendous celebration of motorsport that captivates millions of fans and champions Regional NSW as a must visit destination,” Taylor said.
“It continues to enhance its standing as an event of significant repute, and we could not be prouder to host the race for another year in 2026. It is always fantastic to watch Bathurst and The Mount buzz each October as we welcome thousands of fans from around Australia and the world to our vibrant city.
“That excitement is already building as we get closer to another incredible race in two months’ time which will honour and pay tribute to the King of the Mountain, Peter Brock. Just as our local radio station, B-ROCK, immortalises his enduring legacy here in Bathurst.”
The Repco Bathurst 1000 is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
