ZACH Bates will be among half a dozen Supercars full-timers representing Mercedes-AMG in next month’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.
Bates has today been named in Tigani Motorsport’s Supabarn Supermarkets #47 entry in the Bronze class alongside David Russell and the Koundouris brothers, James and Theo.
Other 2026 Supercars full-timers in the 10-strong Merc fleet will be Jayden Ojeda, Kai Allen, Chaz Mostert, Thomas Randle and Cam Waters.
Ojeda’s presence is no surprise given his ongoing status as a Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Junior driver, while Allen had already been announced with Grove Racing and likewise Mostert, Randle and Waters together for Scott Taylor Motorsport.
The livery which Jayden Ojeda’s entry will sport. Pic: Supplied
“The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the most important races on the international GT calendar,” said Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing.
“With 10 Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars – including six vehicles in the Pro class – we will once again field the largest brand entry in the grid in 2026, underlining the strength and appeal of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 for our Customer Racing Teams worldwide.
“The Mount Panorama Circuit is one of the most technically demanding tracks in GT racing and places the highest demands on the car, the team and the drivers.
“Our goal is clear: we want to fight for overall victory once again at the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.”
Reigning Supercars champion Mostert spoke glowingly of the opportunity that awaits across February 13-15.
“Racing a GT3 car in Bathurst in front of the Aussie crowd and being supported while battling some of the best GT drivers in the world is always something very special and a real thrill,” he said.
“What makes the Mount Panorama Circuit so special is its epic layout along the side of a mountain, which makes it extremely difficult to put together a perfect lap.
“I love coming back year on year trying to go faster. GT3 is the category with the highest downforce that I compete in, and the car generates its lap time mainly at the top of the mountain with crazy cool speeds, while Supercars make their time down on the straights.
“Together with my teammates, I will try to surprise one or two competitors.”
Full Mercedes-AMG driver line-up for 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour
No.TeamDriver 1Driver 2Driver 3Driver 4Class6Mercedes-AMG Team Tigani MotorsportPhilip EllisJayden OjedaFabian SchillerPro27Heart of Racing by SPSIan JamesTBCTBCBronze44Geyer Valmont Racing/Tigani MotorsportScott AndrewsBrendon LeitchSergio PiresMarcel ZallouaPro-Am45RAM Motorsport/GWR AustraliaBrett HobsonDylan O’KeeffeMike SheargoldGarth WaldenPro-Am47Supabarn/Tigani MotorsportZach BatesJames KoundourisTheo KoundourisDavid RussellBronze7575 ExpressJules GounonKenny HabulLuca StolzPro77Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo RacingRalf AronLucas AuerMaximilian GötzPro100Grove RacingKai AllenWill DavisonBrenton GrovePro222Scott Taylor MotorsportChaz MostertThomas RandleCam WatersPro888Mercedes-AMG Team GMRMaro EngelMikael GrenierMaxime MartinPro