Kostecki Claims Historic Third Bathurst 1000 Pole in Top 10 Shootout

Kostecki’s Precision Delivers Bathurst History

There are moments in sport that seem to slow time—a collective breath held as a single athlete takes on not just competitors, but history itself. On October 11, 2025, Brodie Kostecki found himself at such a crossroads. The Repco Bathurst 1000 Top 10 Shootout had drawn the eyes of fans and veterans alike, each waiting to see if the defending champion could etch his name alongside legends. As the final car roared onto the sunlit Mount Panorama circuit, anticipation hung thick in the air.

Kostecki did not disappoint. With a blistering lap of 2:04.0413, just fractions shy of the Gen3 record he set the day before, he secured pole position for the third consecutive year—a feat achieved by only two others: Peter Brock and Allan Moffat. The lap was not just fast; it was a masterclass in control, as Kostecki tamed the infamous corners and undulating hills that have humbled countless drivers before him.

“It’s just amazing honestly, that in lap was something special seeing all the fans, and getting all the cheers over the fence,” Kostecki told reporters, his smile betraying both relief and pride. For the Ford faithful, his performance was a rallying cry; for Kostecki, it was another chapter in a rapidly growing legacy.

All-Ford Dominance Shakes Up the Grid

The 2025 Shootout was more than a personal triumph—it marked a rare all-Ford lockout of the top four grid spots, the first since 1990. Cam Waters followed in second, a mere 0.176 seconds behind, after a fierce charge through Reid Park and Forrest’s Elbow. Chaz Mostert, another Mountain veteran, rounded out third, his lap marked by early sector speed but a slight falter near the Elbow. Ryan Wood, despite a costly slip on the grass, captured fourth, ensuring Ford’s dominance at the sharp end.

Broc Feeney, the championship leader and top Camaro driver, struggled to match his qualifying heroics. An oversteer at Hell Corner and aggressive moves through The Esses left him fifth—still competitive, but not quite where he hoped to be. Cooper Murray impressed in his Bathurst Shootout debut, qualifying sixth, while Thomas Randle and Cameron Hill filled out seventh and eighth. Anton De Pasquale’s redemption run placed him ninth, and Nick Percat, in his farewell season, rounded out the ten after a late mistake at Murray’s Corner.

Drama Unfolds Beyond the Stopwatch

The Shootout is notorious for its pressure, and 2025 was no exception. Earlier in the day, Will Brown narrowly avoided disaster when Chaz Mostert, attempting to dodge Thomas Randle, veered across the pit straight and forced Brown onto the grass. The incident led to a tense garage confrontation, but cooler heads prevailed, with apologies exchanged and focus returning to the task ahead. For Brown, who starts twelfth, the near-miss was a stark reminder of the razor’s edge on which Bathurst is run.

Elsewhere, Cooper Murray carried Erebus Motorsport’s hopes for a third consecutive pole but fell short, losing critical time on the Mountain’s descent. Anton De Pasquale, two days after his teammate’s practice crash, aimed for redemption but settled for ninth. Each lap told a story of split-second choices, nerves, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

What’s Next: The Great Race Beckons

With the grid now set, attention turns to Sunday’s 161-lap marathon. Kostecki, paired with Todd Hazelwood, will lead the charge from pole, buoyed by a wave of Ford support and the pressure of defending his crown. Waters, Mostert, Wood, and Feeney will jostle for position, each with their own ambitions and strategies. The Bathurst 1000 is as much about endurance and teamwork as it is about outright speed—where pit stops, safety cars, and the unpredictable Mountain can upend fortunes in a heartbeat.

Fans can catch the action live on the Seven Network, 7plus, Fox Sports, and Kayo Sports, with coverage beginning at 8:30am AEDT for the warm-up and the race itself commencing at 11:45am.

As ABC Sport noted, Kostecki is not just chasing another pole, but a second consecutive Bathurst crown. His consistency and calm under pressure have made him the driver to beat, yet the Mountain has a habit of rewriting scripts in dramatic fashion.

The full Shootout results:

• 1. Brodie Kostecki
• 2. Cam Waters
• 3. Chaz Mostert
• 4. Ryan Wood
• 5. Broc Feeney
• 6. Cooper Murray
• 7. Thomas Randle
• 8. Cameron Hill
• 9. Anton De Pasquale
• 10. Nick Percat

For Percat, Bathurst 2011 winner, the weekend marks a poignant farewell to full-time racing. For rising stars like Murray and Wood, it’s a chance to stake their claim on motorsport’s grandest stage.

In racing, pole position is both a prize and a promise—a starting point, not a guarantee. As engines fire and the grid lines up, all eyes will be on Kostecki, Waters, and the chasing pack, knowing that at Bathurst, history is never far from the next corner.

Kostecki’s third consecutive pole at Bathurst underscores not only his individual brilliance but the resurgence of Ford at Mount Panorama. The Shootout highlighted the razor-thin margins and unpredictable drama that define Australia’s greatest race, setting the stage for a showdown where experience, nerve, and adaptability will prove decisive.