Kostecki Claims third consecutive Bathurst 1000 pole in a familiar show of pace
In a repeat of recent Bathurst traditions, Brodie Kostecki once again led the field in the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout at the Repco Bathurst 1000, confirming his status as the king of pole positions at Mount Panorama. The 2:04.0413s lap was enough to secure pole, just shy of his Gen3 record set in Friday practice (2:04.0307s), and it ensured a Ford-dominated front row with Cam Waters, Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood completing an all-Ford top four for the first time since 1990.
Momentum builds for Kostecki ahead of the Great Race
“It’s just amazing honestly, that in-lap was something special seeing all the fans, and getting all the cheers over the fence,” Kostecki said after his margin of victory over the chasing pack. The pole is the fourth of the season for the Queensland-based racer, underscoring the consistency that has become his hallmark at Bathurst. With Toddy Hazelwood, his co-driver, alongside, Kostecki is quietly confident heading into the race days.
“I could definitely see a lot of DJR fans and Shell V-Power fans, and a lot of Ford fans out there, so I hope you cheer us on tomorrow. We’re starting off the best possible spot we can, so can’t wait to share the car with Toddy tomorrow.”
Other contenders push hard as weather and track conditions cooperate
The afternoon sun bathed Mount Panorama as drivers returned to the pit wall and recalibrated their strategies for the shootout. Thomas Randle opened the session with a strong 2:04.7354s, while Nick Percat briefly sat at the top before a lock-up into Murray’s Corner cost him precious tenths. Cameron Hill improved, yet still found himself slightly behind Randle on the timing screens.
Cam Waters was the first to truly threaten the benchmark, blazing through Reid Park and Forrest’s Elbow on a rapid run to claim a 2:04.2173s that sent a warning across the garages. Chaz Mostert, another former pole winner, pushed hard through Sector 1 but couldn’t maintain the pace through The Esses, finishing 0.140s off Waters in 2:04.3582s.
Co-drivers and teams rally behind the pole position
Co-driver influence is crucial in the Bathurst 1000, and the pole lap signaled excellent early momentum for Kostecki and Hazelwood. Cooper Murray, chasing Erebus Motorsport’s dreams of a third consecutive pole, looked set to threaten before cards began to fall away at the top. Anton De Pasquale, still attempting to shake off the shadow of yesterday’s accident, managed a provisional sixth with a 2:04.9111s, a mark that highlighted the depth of quality across the field.
Two days after an earlier incident, Harri Jones’ DEWALT Camaro remained in the conversation, while Ryan Wood’s late charge through the top of the Mountain showed the fragility that can accompany a perfect lap. A misstep at the top of the hill meant Wood settled for a 2:04.4426s, leaving the door open for Feeney and Kostecki to chase the last remaining flag on the pole board.
From pole to potential podium: a race plan for the Ford quartet
The pole position is a canvas for strategists. With Waters, Mostert and Kostecki all capable of controlling their own destiny, the start of the Bathurst 1000 promises a tactical duel as much as a sprint. Feeney, eyeing a return to pole glory in 2025, held provisional fourth after an intense run that flirted with the wall at critical moments. The narrative of this year’s pole is unmistakable: a renewed focus on precision, consistency, and flawless execution across the Mountain.
A familiar face under the Bathurst sun, a familiar story continues
As the engines cool and the grandstands begin to settle, the conversation returns to one theme: Brodie Kostecki’s mastery of Bathurst pole. The drive, the data, and the discipline to keep understeer at bay through Hell Corner paid off, delivering a third straight pole that echoes the record-setting runs of 2023 and 2024. The mountain has a way of rewarding repeat success, and Kostecki will enter Sunday’s race as the driver to beat once again.
