Zach Bates inks new Matt Stone Racing deal
Bates extends MSR tenure on multi-year deal
Naming rights partner Bendix also extend deal with MSR
Matt Stone Racing has made a significant play in the Supercars driver market, locking down Zach Bates on a new multi-year agreement.
Rising star Bates, who soared from pole position to third in last month’s Repco Bathurst 1000, returns with MSR in 2027.
Bathurst was a breakout performance for the 22-year-old Canberran, who surged into the mainstream with a stunning weekend at Mount Panorama.
After securing a Top Ten Shootout berth on debut in Ipswich last year, Bates has qualified inside the top 10 on eight occasions this season, and currently sits 16th in the points standings.
Bates is keen to build on the momentum of his Bathurst breakthrough in the years to come, wth the 2024 Super2 champion now firmly established as one of the leading young prospects in Supercars.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Matt and everyone at MSR for putting their faith in me and giving me the opportunity to make the step into a full-time Supercars seat,” Bates said.
“It’s been a massive learning experience, and I’ve been fortunate to have such a strong group around me to help me develop throughout the season. To achieve what we did at Bathurst in my first year shows what’s possible, and I’m hungry for more.
“I’m really excited to have my future locked in with MSR and Bendix Racing. We’ve already achieved some pretty special things together, and I’m looking forward to coming back swinging in 2027 with more experience under my belt. We’re only just getting started.”
Team owner Matt Stone added that the rookie's sensational Bathurst weekend was a just reward for both team and driver, and was also pleased to re-sign primary sponsor Bendix along with Bates.
Bendix first joined MSR as a naming rights partner in 2024, with Nick Percat taking two wins that season.
“Zach has shown enormous potential in his first season, and what he achieved at Bathurst was a fantastic reward for the work he and the entire team have put in," Stone added.
"We knew he had the talent coming into the year, but to see him step up against some of the best in the world and deliver results like that has been incredibly rewarding for everyone in the garage and back at the workshop.
“We’re really pleased to have Zach committed to MSR in a multi-year deal, and equally proud to have Bendix continuing alongside us. Having that stability across both our driver lineup and our key partnerships allows us to keep building on the foundations we’ve put in place.
“Bendix has been a fantastic partner over the last three years, and we’re grateful for the trust they continue to place in us. We’ve shared some special moments this season, particularly at Bathurst, and we’re looking forward to creating plenty more together.”
Bates' teammate Jack Le Brocq is also expected to continue with MSR into 2027, having qualified for the Finals Series in his first campaign with the team since 2023.
The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship continues at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, with on-track action commencing on Friday.
