Quick Read
- Chaz Mostert crashed heavily at Griffins Bend during Bathurst 1000 practice but was uninjured.
- Ryan Wood set the fastest time of the session, beating last year’s equivalent by over two seconds.
- Red flags interrupted practice due to timing issues and Mostert’s crash.
- Rookie Zach Bates will run a tribute sticker for his late mother during his Bathurst debut.
- Rain and changing conditions added complexity to the opening session.
Bathurst 1000 Practice Opens with High Drama and Heartfelt Stories
The 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 kicked off under ominous skies and a restless energy, blending the unpredictable with the deeply personal. From the moment the engines roared to life at Mount Panorama, it was clear that this year’s iconic race would be shaped by more than just lap times. Headlines quickly turned from technical excellence to human resilience, as a heavy crash and an emotional tribute defined the opening act.
Mostert’s Shock Crash Sends Ripples Through the Field
It started with a sense of anticipation. Drivers had barely settled into their first practice session when Chaz Mostert, two-time Bathurst winner and one of Walkinshaw Andretti United’s star drivers, found himself at the center of chaos. The session, already interrupted by a timing malfunction, was brought to a halt again—this time, for a reason that left the paddock silent.
Mostert’s Mustang locked up at Griffins Bend, skidding helplessly into the wall. As marshals rushed to the scene, concern mounted. But within moments, relief spread: Mostert emerged unscathed, his composure intact despite the battered car. Speaking to Fox Motorsport, he reflected, “Just went slightly later than what I did the run before. But for whatever reason the brake wouldn’t release. It just had a small lock and I don’t know, it just felt like I was skating.”
The crash ran down the clock, with ten minutes of paused time already spent. The session was more than just a test of speed; it became a test of adaptability and nerve.
Ryan Wood’s Dazzling Pace Steals the Spotlight
While Mostert’s accident captured headlines, his teammate Ryan Wood seized the moment to showcase his own brilliance. On the same treacherous, rain-slicked track, Wood powered through to set the fastest time of the session: 2:05.1029s. That lap wasn’t just quick—it was a full 2.1912 seconds faster than the best time in the equivalent session last year, a staggering improvement given the conditions.
Wood’s achievement was no fluke. The New Zealander dominated all three sectors, pushing past veterans like Anton de Pasquale and Kai Allen, who finished second and third respectively. Matthew Payne and championship leader Broc Feeney rounded out the top five, each fighting the elements and their own nerves as the rain intensified.
Even as light rain began to fall, Wood remained composed, methodically shaving tenths off his time with every run. The leaderboard shifted constantly, but by the end, Wood’s name was etched firmly at the top—a testament to both talent and tenacity.
Practice Session Chaos: Red Flags and Fast Recoveries
The opening hour was defined by interruptions and uncertainty. A timing malfunction forced an immediate red flag, resetting the field’s rhythm before they had a chance to find it. Reigning champion Will Brown narrowly avoided disaster himself, sliding over Skyline in a heart-stopping moment.
With clouds closing in and the rain adding another layer of challenge, drivers like Broc Feeney and Brown posted solid early laps. But it was Wood who “blew them out of the water,” as Supercars.com described, first posting a 2:06.4718s, then steadily lowering the benchmark as teams cycled through their strategies.
After Mostert’s crash and the subsequent restart, the competition intensified. Payne threatened to go even faster before coming into the lane, and Feeney surged into the 2:05s with a 2:05.9879s, forming a Triple Eight 1-2. Wood, however, was relentless, lighting up the timesheets in the closing minutes and finishing with a lap that none could match.
Rookie Zach Bates’ Emotional Tribute Brings Depth to the Weekend
Beyond the technical drama, the Bathurst 1000 is also a stage for human stories. Rookie Zach Bates, making his debut for Triple Eight, entered the weekend with more than just racing on his mind. Bates will run a special tribute sticker for his late mother, Alison ‘Ali’ Drower, who passed away last week after a battle with cancer.
Bates’ heartfelt words, shared on social media, resonated across the paddock: “Mum, our best friend, the most incredible, beautiful mum and wife we could ever ask for. I am the proudest son. The world will not be the same without you, the amazing energy and joy that you brought to so many people cannot be replaced.”
His cousins, Harry and Lewis Bates, paid similar tributes in the Australian Rally Championship, underscoring the sense of community and family that runs deep in motorsport. As Bates prepares for double duty between the main game and the Dunlop Series, his story adds a poignant layer to the Bathurst spectacle.
What’s Next: Co-Drivers, Mixed Weather, and More Action
Thursday’s action was far from over. Co-drivers were set to take the stage in a dedicated session at 4:50pm AEDT, rounding out a day filled with unpredictability and emotion. The Bathurst schedule remained packed, with supporting events like the Porsche Carrera Cup, Dunlop Super2 Series, Touring Car Masters, TGRA GR Cup, and V8 SuperUtes ensuring the circuit buzzed from morning to evening.
The weather forecast—70% chance of rain, 1-5mm expected—promises more drama ahead. With track conditions changing by the hour and nerves running high after the opening incidents, every team faces a delicate balancing act: push for pace, but avoid costly mistakes.
Among the many drivers, from veterans like Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes to rising stars like Wood and Bates, the Bathurst 1000 remains a crucible for both speed and spirit. As cars roll out for further sessions, the stories of resilience, risk, and tribute set the tone for what could be a race to remember.
Bigger Than Racing: Bathurst’s Legacy of Challenge and Character
Bathurst has always been more than just a race. It’s a stage where legends are made, where technical mastery meets human emotion. The opening practice of 2025 laid that truth bare: from the shock of Mostert’s crash to the brilliance of Wood’s lap and the depth of Bates’ tribute, the event reminds us why motorsport continues to captivate.
As the weekend unfolds, the focus will inevitably shift to the quest for victory. But it’s the moments of vulnerability, the flashes of genius, and the quiet tributes that will linger long after the checkered flag falls.
Bathurst’s opening day revealed a tapestry of speed, risk, and heart—proving once again that behind every headline is a story worth telling, and behind every driver is a person navigating triumph and adversity at full throttle.