Zach Bates is making waves in the motorsport world as he takes on the #888 Supercheap Auto Triple Eight wildcard.
Team 18’s New Wildcard Agreement
The newly formed GM homologation squad, Team 18, announced on Wednesday that they have secured a two-year deal for the wildcard effort. Supercheap Auto has chosen to continue its partnership with fan favorite Craig Lowndes, who confirmed in April his commitment to GM, even as Triple Eight transitions to Ford in 2026.
Future of the Wildcard Program
Triple Eight faces a busy season ahead with the switch to Mustangs, but it appears that a repeat of the wildcard campaign may not be in the cards. “Unconfirmed at this stage,” Jamie Whincup stated when asked about the 2026 status of the wildcard during the Ipswich Super440. “We don’t have a commitment to run a wildcard in 2026 onwards. My guess is we probably won’t, but that’s still to be confirmed.”
The Evolution of the Wildcard Program
The wildcard initiative began with Triple Eight in 2021 as a guerrilla marketing strategy, coinciding with Repco taking over as the naming rights sponsor for the Bathurst 1000. Broc Feeney and Russell Ingall shared the driving duties in that inaugural year, with Lowndes later becoming the centerpiece of the program alongside a series of young drivers. Declan Fraser, Zane Goddard, Cooper Murray, and Zach Bates have all had the opportunity to compete in the Triple Eight wildcard. Notably, Feeney, Fraser, and Murray transitioned to full-time Supercars Championship roles the year following their participation in the program. The wildcard entry’s best result came last year at the Sandown 500, where Murray and Lowndes finished in fifth place.
Looking Ahead
“We’ve been really proud of the wildcard program,” Whincup remarked. “We’ve been proud of it for the last three or four years, so fingers crossed this year can be the same.” This season marks the second time the wildcard program has included a sprint event for the young driver, with Bates making his main game debut at Ipswich over the weekend. The 21-year-old showcased his talent on Sunday, achieving third place in regular qualifying and fifth in the Top 10 Shootout, although he finished 21st in the race after being involved in multiple incidents.
Team 18’s Co-Driver Shortlist
As Team 18 continues to build its future, they have compiled a shortlist for a co-driver for Craig Lowndes, further emphasizing their commitment to fostering young talent in the sport.
Tags: craig lowndes, jamie whincup, triple eight, triple eight race engineering