Twenty years after Peter Brock’s death, the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 will dedicate much of its off-track programme to the man who won the Great Race nine times and became inseparable from the mountain that made him famous. The event runs from 8–11 October, and organisers have made clear that honouring Brock is not a footnote, it is a centrepiece.
What the Brock Experience Involves
A dedicated Brock Experience will spread across the circuit precinct and Bathurst’s CBD. The headline attraction is Peter’s Pitlane, located alongside the National Motor Racing Museum, where original cars that Brock raced will be on display alongside archival footage of his most significant moments.
In Church Street, a large dome structure called Brocky’s Helmet will give fans an interactive space to explore milestones from his career. The NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, led by Transport for NSW, is funding that installation as part of a broader effort to animate Bathurst’s streets during race week.
Supercars has also commissioned Victorian artist David Bromley to produce a series of original artworks paying tribute to Brock’s life and career. Those pieces will form part of the wider tribute programme across the event.
Racing Stakes Remain High
The tributes sit alongside a race that carries genuine championship weight. The Bathurst 1000 closes out the 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup and serves as the final event before the Repco Supercars Finals Series begins. With title positions still in play, drivers will arrive at Mount Panorama knowing 161 laps around one of the world’s most demanding circuits could shape their season.
Last year’s race ended in dramatic fashion, with Matt Payne and Garth Tander winning for Grove Racing in difficult and constantly shifting weather conditions. The bar for memorable finishes has been set high.
Off-Track Programme and Camping
More than 25,000 campers are expected to take up residence on the mountain during race week. One practical change this year: campers can now remain on site until 10:00am on the Tuesday after the race, extended from the previous Monday midday deadline. The adjustment is designed to ease traffic congestion and give fans an extra window to enjoy the town.
Community events, Track to Town activations, public entertainment and general fan experiences will fill the week alongside the racing programme. Tickets, camping and hospitality packages are available through Supercars.com.
Why This Year Feels Different
Bathurst anniversaries come and go, but a 20-year milestone for Brock carries particular weight in Australian motorsport. His nine victories remain unmatched, and the event’s identity is still shaped in large part by what he achieved there across three decades of racing.
Bringing original race cars, large-scale public art and interactive installations into the mix suggests organisers are treating this as more than a commemorative lap of honour. For fans making the trip to Mount Panorama in October, the 2026 edition looks set to offer something beyond the racing itself, and that is not always easy to say with confidence about a tribute programme announced months in advance.
