FOR months, Erebus Motorsport has pinned its hopes on yet another brilliant Bathurst campaign to salvage something from what’s been a tricky 2026 season.
And they did not disappoint in the early going yesterday, showing signs that they’ll as usual be in the hunt for Great Race glory.
It was Lochie Dalton that shone to put Car #99 on top in Practice 2 which was exclusive to co-drivers.
“The TotalEnergies car feels like a lounge chair at the moment,” he said.
Lochie Dalton. Pic: Ross Gibb
Lead driver Cooper Murray, who went close to winning the Mount Panorama classic last year, added: “It’s a good way to start the first day of the Bathurst 1000, but it’s Lap 161 on Sunday that matters.
“Obviously Erebus has got a good history of being really quick around the Mountain. Last year, it is what it is, it happened, we move on.
“It only gives me more fire in my belly to go out there and do better this year.”
Murray also asserted that Dalton is “definitely the next one that deserves to get a full-time seat”.
The Bathurst 1000 Preview | The Undercut
IT’S the biggest show of the season – The Undercut is back, previewing the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000, with the V8 Sleuth Aaron Noonan joined in the studio by two of the stars of the big day – Jack Perkins and James Moffat.
There’s plenty of juggling acts going on for the Launceston product this week: jumping between the main game Camaro and Super2 Mustang, and walking the fine line between auditioning for 2027 and not straying from staying in the moment right now.
“I feel like I have got the runs on the board now to try to make that next step, but I don’t know. Hopefully something pops up,” said Dalton.
Murray/Dalton are not the only Chevrolet combination feeling chipper, with Team 18’s trio of entries all enjoying a positive start to proceedings.
“For a long time, I haven’t had a car that’s been so nice so early in the weekend,” said seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes.