WAU's double-edged sword in Triple Eight's Bates call-up

While disappointed to see Zach Bates make his main game debut with a rival team, Walkinshaw Andretti United CEO Bruce Stewart is "delighted" for his team's latest Supercars debutant.

On Tuesday, Bates was confirmed alongside Craig Lowndes in Triple Eight Race Engineering's enduro wildcard for the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship.

While the likes of Broc Feeney, Declan Fraser, Zane Goddard and Cooper Murray had ties to Triple Eight, Bates has been plucked from rival squad WAU.

Come September, and Bates will race against WAU's two Fords in the first enduro of the year at The Bend, before taking on Mount Panorama in October.

However, Stewart was pleased Bates could finally secure a main game chance, something he has publicly backed for some time.

“First and foremost, we are delighted to see Zach get an opportunity in the main game in 2025,” Stewart said.

"He is thoroughly deserving of what’s ahead, he is a fantastic driver, but also a great kid, so we are all rapt for him.

“Of course, we are disappointed that it won’t be with us, but it’s exactly what our Foundation Academy is about, opportunity. It’s also great to see him representing a great partner of ours, Supercheap Auto.

“That’s 2025 though, we are all fully focussed on what’s ahead of him and the Walkinshaw Andretti United team in Adelaide and will be doing everything we possibly can to secure the Super2 championship, which he currently leads.”

While the 2025 enduros are still 10 months away, Bates is keen to get cracking on what could prove a Supercars audition for 2026. For now, however, Bates is determined to close out 2024 with a Super2 crown.

The Canberran leads Aaron Cameron by 39 points, and 2023 champion Kai Allen by 42 points, heading to the VAILO Adelaide 500 on November 14-17.

“I obviously still have a job to do at Adelaide to secure the Super2 championship, but I’m stoked to get this news out," Bates said.

"It’s a good way to finish off the year but I’ll still be working very hard over the summer break to get ready for 2025 to maximise this opportunity. I want to give a huge thanks to the entire team at Supercheap Auto and Triple Eight Race Engineering for this exciting opportunity.

"Finally, I want to thank my friends and family for their support in my racing career, and hopefully this is just as exciting for them as it is for me.”

Crucially, WAU has now delivered main game opportunities for two drivers since returning to the Dunlop Series in 2023, with Kiwi Ryan Wood 11 rounds into his rookie main game campaign.

Triple Eight boss Jamie Whincup, though, is excited to embed Bates into his own team.

“I can’t wait to welcome Zach to the Triple Eight family next year and surround him with some of the most talented people in pit lane,” Whincup said.

"There’s no doubt the step up from Super2 to Supercars is significant, but with the support of Craig and the #888 crew, Zach will be well prepared to give this opportunity a red-hot crack."