Bates looking forward to Adelaide title showdown

Second-year Super2 driver Zach Bates has found himself in the box seat heading into the Dunlop Series finale at the VAILO Adelaide 500 after a wild weekend at the Repco Bathurst 1000.

Having been hunting reigning Super2 champion Kai Allen all season, the Walkinshaw Andretti United driver made the most of Allen's nightmare weekend to surge into the points lead at the right time of the season.

Bates entered Bathurst 126 points down on Allen, but whittled the margin down to 78 after Eggleston Motorsport's miracle Friday repair allowed Allen to limit the damage, limping home in 14th after his massive qualifying crash.

Saturday could prove to be the decisive day in the 2024 Super2 title race, as Allen had his power steering let go at the exit of The Dipper, recording his first Dunlop Series DNF since the 2022 Super3 decider in Adelaide.

Bates now leaves Bathurst as a first-time Super2 Series leader, with 39 points over Aaron Cameron, who himself surged into contention with a dominant Saturday win, and Allen now 42 behind.

Talking on SEN's The Driver's Seat, Bates is admits that although being the hunted is a good position to be in, the unpredictable nature of Super2 will make Adelaide a tense decider.

"I think that round was the perfect example of Super2, you can't predict it. From the championship leader and the title combatants having their issues, to me getting a flat tyre in qualifying on Friday morning," Bates said.

"You have a lot of people saying you're in the best seat going into Adelaide, obviously it's great to have the championship lead.

"The team did a great job and everyone involved, but you know, Super2 it's just the nature of it, anything is going to happen, so it's great to leave there with the orange numbers and I hope to hang on to them.

"Not to mention the two guys I'm fighting against for the championship, they aren't hanging around, so it's definitely going to be difficult but enjoyable, I'm looking forward to the fight, so I can not wait."

Having linked up with WAU for the 2023 Super2 Series after becoming the most winningest driver in the Toyota 86 Series, the Canberran showed solid progress last year, claiming his maiden round podium at Bathurst on his way to fifth in the standings.

The 20-year-old has claimed his first two career round wins this season at Perth and Sandown, and hasn't finished outside the top five since the first race in Townsville, where he became an innocent victim of a first lap pileup.

Bates has credited the advice and support from the likes of Chaz Mostert, Lee Holdsworth, Warren Luff, and former teammate Ryan Wood for accelerating his progression, and even poked fun at Luff's wild moment in Thursday practice for the Bathurst 1000.

"I think after his stunt driving on the weekend, I think I need to give him a little bit of a tune up. Anyway, he's been doing an absolutely great job," Bates said.

"He's been a great mentor, great guy to have by my side through all of it. I don't think there's been a race situation he hasn't been involved with, so it's always great to be able to lean on him.

"Obviously that's one of the many benefits of being involved with the Walkinshaw guys, not just Luffy but also Chaz, Lee, Woody was my teammate last year, but even he's giving out some wisdom, which sometimes I listen to and sometimes I don't."

Bates will be aiming to become the 22nd different driver to be crowned as a Super2 champion at the Adelaide decider, which would also do no harm to his future main game prospects.

"This is something that we've worked towards, as you say it is a team effort. It's very easy to go, 'it's me driving out there on the track,' but there's a whole heap of people behind the scenes that have helped me get to this point, not to mention my family and backers," Bates said.

"So it would mean the world to me, and it's something that I need if I want to progress, so I need to put my best foot forward. I'll work as hard as I can, put my best foot forward, and see what happens."

Bates, Cameron and Allen will all do battle for the 2024 Dunlop Super2 Series at the VAILO Adelaide 500 from November 14-17. Tickets for the event are on sale now.