Bathurst magazine out now

With spring in the air and the footy finals almost over with, it’s time to get ready for the really big one – this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

Story: Staff Writer

In summary

This year's edition spotlights emerging young stars like Kai Allen and Ryan Wood in what feels like a changing-of-the-guard moment for Supercars.
Garth Tander discusses his transition from six-times Bathurst winner to full-time Supercars commentator.
Features explore Toyota's surprisingly lengthy Bathurst history, Dick Johnson's switch from Holden to Ford 50 years ago, and the legacies of Brock and Moffat.

BATHURST: The Great Race magazine – Australian MUSCLE CAR's annual pre-Bathurst sister publication – is your pre-event armchair guide to the Great Race.

This year’s edition focuses on the emerging new young stars of Supercars racing like Kai Allen and Kiwi sensation Ryan Wood, in what feels like a changing-of-the-guard moment in Supercars racing – it’s hard to think of a time when the field boasted so much young talent.

At the other end of the experience spectrum. Garth Tander talks about his transition from six-times Bathurst winner to full-time Supercars commentator – in a rare achievement for an Australian touring car racing driver, Garth managed to hang up the helmet while he was on top.

Toyota has thrown its hat into the Supercars ring this year, but when it comes to Bathurst the Japanese brand is far from a newcomer. BATHURST: The Great Race looks back at Toyota’s surprisingly lengthy – and successful – history in the Great Race.

Speaking of Bathurst success and longevity, this year marks half a century since Dick Johnson’s first Bathurst start in a Ford. Before that, back in the 1960s and early ’70s Dick had been a committed Holden man – and he might have stayed that way had HDT boss Harry Firth not overlooked him when selecting co-drivers for the 1974 race. Our feature on Johnson’s Bathurst history tells the story of how and why he made the switch.

The passing of Allan Moffat late last year, coupled with the fact that it’s 20 years since the death of Peter Brock, means that the 2026 Great Race will be a time for everyone to reflect on these two past heroes and great rivals. Brock and Moffat were more than that, though: they played a big role in shaping the race into the annual spectacular it is today.

It’s hard to imagine the Bathurst 1000 without Brock and Moffat. But, as David Greenhalgh explains, if Brock and Moffat were important ‘pillars’ of the race, who then were the others vital players who built and shaped the race?

All this and much more in BATHURST: The Great Race, including out Bathurst trivia quiz – with great prizes on offer for the first correct answers. Available now at newsagents or online at MyMagazines.