Overview: A Bathurst Classic Wrapped in Rain
The Bathurst 1000 delivered a race for the ages as wet weather, relentless safety cars, and a late-race sprint produced a unforgettable result. Payne/Tander, starting from 18th, rode a rollercoaster day to claim the Peter Brock Trophy for Penrite Racing, marking Ford’s first Bathurst win since 2019. The victory also gave the experienced duo a historic sixth Bathurst triumph for James Tander, placing him among the event’s most decorated winners.
Key Players and Turning Points
Cooper Murray and James Golding staged a gripping duel late in the race. Murray led briefly before Golding collided with the Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet, opening the door for Payne to pounce. A subsequent penalty for Golding sealed Payne’s fate, allowing the 48-year-old Tander to steer Payne to the finish line with urgency and precision.
Starting Position and Strategy
Payne/Tander began 18th on the grid, a demanding start given the treacherous conditions. With seven Safety Car periods disrupting rhythm, Penrite Racing executed a strategic masterstroke, configuring fresh wet tyres for the leaders at critical restarts to maximize grip as surfaces evolved lap-by-lap.
Crucial Restart Moments
The race’s complexion shifted multiple times. On lap 128, Wood sprinted to green against a backdrop of chorus-like wheelspin, while a gearbox drama sidelined James Courtney. Golding briefly took control on lap 129 but was reeled in as Payne, Murray, and Wood jostled for position. A string of incidents – including Jaxon Evans’s collision, Brown’s crash into a wall, and Murray’s late surge – kept the field tightly bunched and the outcome uncertain into the final stanzas.
Climactic Finish: A Nail-Biting Final Laps
With 21 laps remaining, the top three consisted of Golding, Payne, and Murray. Murray edged ahead of Payne at the exit of The Chase, while a subsequent spin of misfortune for others kept the focus on the fight for the podium. A late safety car reshaped the order again, setting the stage for a dramatic dash to the chequered flag.
As the laps wound down, Murray and Payne were locked in a tense battle for the lead. Payne found a window at Forrest’s Elbow and then closed on Murray, briefly overtaking before Murray reclaimed the advantage. The closing stages were chaotic: Golding pressed hard, but penalties and incidents reshaped the top positions. In the end, Payne surged to the lead after Golding earned a contested five-second penalty, delivering Penrite Racing its first Bathurst win and a memorable moment for Ford at Mount Panorama.
Aftermath: Historic Echoes and aiming for the Future
Payne/Tander’s victory marks a landmark in Bathurst history. For Tander, the win lifts him to six Bathurst triumphs, tying him with revered names and placing him in elite company behind the all-time greats. The margin was tight – a testament to the day’s weather, strategy, and nerve under pressure.
What This Means for the Championship and Teams
The result injects a fresh energy into the season, highlighting Penrite Racing’s depth and Ford’s ongoing competitiveness, and setting up a compelling narrative heading into the next rounds. The Bathurst 1000 once again demonstrated why it remains a pinnacle event for fans and teams alike, delivering drama that will be talked about for years to come.
