If you’ve ever tried to plan your Sunday around the Bathurst 1000 only to find the race doesn’t kick off until mid-morning, you’re not alone. In 2025, the Repco Bathurst 1000 will start at 11:45 AM AEDT on Sunday, October 12 — a later time than many fans expect.
2025 race start time (AEDT): 11:45 AM · Number of laps: 161 · Race distance: 1,000 km · 2025 date: October 12
Quick snapshot
- 2025 race start: 11:45 AM AEDT, Oct 12 (Supercars Official Championship)
- Race distance: 161 laps / 1,000 km (Supercars)
- Event held at Mount Panorama, Bathurst (Supercars)
- Exact race duration depends on safety cars and weather (Speedcafe Motorsport News)
- 2026 start time not yet announced (Supercars)
- Race weekend: 9–12 October 2025, four-day format (Supercars)
- Sunday warm-up 8:30–8:50 AM AEDT (Speedcafe)
- Race starts at 11:45 AM AEDT Sunday (Supercars)
- Broadcast coverage begins 7 AM AEDT on Channel 7 and 7plus (Speedcafe)
Five key facts about the 2025 Bathurst 1000, from date to entry list.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2025 Race Date | Sunday, October 12, 2025 |
| Track Location | Mount Panorama, Bathurst, NSW |
| Defending Champions (2024)Chaz Mostert / Lee Holdsworth | |
| First Bathurst 1000 | 1960 |
| Number of Entries (2025) | 25 cars |
What time does the Bathurst 1000 race actually start?
2th official start time
- The 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 is scheduled to begin at 11:45 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, October 12 (Supercars Official Championship).
- This time is confirmed by both the governing body and independent motorsport outlet Speedcafe.
3>Time zone conversion for other Australian states
- For viewers in Queensland (no daylight saving: 10:45 AM AEST.
- In Western Australia: 8:45 AM AWST.
- In the Northern Territory: 10:15 AM ACST.
- In South Australia: 11:15 AM ACDT.
Historical start time changes
The 2025 start time of 11:45 AM is notably later than the 11:15 AM slot used in recent years. According to Supercars, the shift reflects broadcast scheduling priorities and a desire to maximise live afternoon audience.
For east-coast Australian fans, the later start means you can watch the entire race from midday into early evening, rather than finishing mid-afternoon.
The later start gives east-coast fans a relaxed morning and a race that runs into early evening, altering the day’s rhythm.
How long does the Bathurst 1000 take?
Typical race duration
- The race is 161 laps covering 1,000 km, and the average completion time is 6–7 hours.
- In 2014 the race was completed in 6 hours 27 minutes, the shortest on record; the 2022 race stretched past 7 hours due to multiple safety-car periods.
Factors influencing race length
Safety cars, weather, and mechanical reliability all affect the total race time. Speedcafe’s event coverage includes a race-day weather forecast, noting that rain can slow the pace and trigger extra caution periods.
Record fastest and slowest races
The fastest race (2014) averaged about 155 km/h, while the slowest (2022) dipped below 140 km/h. These extremes show how much external factors can swing the final clock.
Bottom line: Viewers should plan for at least six and a half hours; safety cars can extend the race until 7 PM.
The pattern: flexibility is baked into the race length, making it impossible to guarantee a finish time.
Why does the Bathurst 1000 start so late today?
Television broadcast scheduling
- Channel 7, the free-to-air broadcaster, prefers a start time that allows pre-race coverage to run from 7 AM without overlapping other sports programming. The later green flag also keeps the race in prime afternoon viewing territory.
- In the 1990s, races often started at 10 AM. The shift to 11:15 AM in 2015 and now to 11:45 AM reflects a broader industry move toward later start windows.
Fan experience and daylight considerations
Sunset at Mount Panorama in October is around 7:15 PM AEDT. Starting at 11:45 AM ensures the entire race takes place in full daylight even if it runs long, without the need for track lighting.
Comparison to earlier start times
The later start is a trade-off: Australian fans on the east coast get a relaxed morning, while those in Western Australia have an early breakfast viewing. For international audiences in Asia and Europe, the time is less convenient, but the event’s prestige ensures strong global interest.
If you’re planning to attend in person, the later start means you can sleep in, but expect heavier traffic heading into Bathurst on Sunday morning — plan to arrive by 9 AM to avoid queues.
The implication for attendees: a later start shifts traffic patterns but offers more sleep.
Where can I watch the Bathurst 1000?
Free-to-air TV broadcast
- Channel 7 will air live coverage starting at 7 AM AEDT on Sunday, October 12. Race-specific coverage begins around 10 AM, building toward the 11:45 AM start.
- The streaming app is free for Australian viewers and will carry the entire broadcast.
Streaming options
- Kayo Sports and Foxtel both offer ad-free, high-definition coverage with additional camera angles and live timing.
- International viewers can access the race through Supercars’ own live-streaming platform or via local broadcast partners.
Radio and online live timing
Supercars.com provides official live timing and radio commentary for those on the move. For Queenslanders, our TV Guide QLD page lists free-to-air schedules including the 7plus lineup.
What this means: multiple free and paid options ensure no fan misses the action.
How many laps is the Bathurst 1000?
Lap count and total distance
- The race is 161 laps, covering exactly 1,000 kilometres (621 miles).
- Each lap of Mount Panorama is 6.213 km long.
Why 161 laps?
The lap count is calculated by dividing 1,000 km by the circuit length (6.213 km) and rounding to the nearest full lap. 161 laps give the closest distance to 1,000 km.
Lap records and average lap time
Chaz Mostert set the fastest race lap in 2024 with a time of 2:03.3. An average lap during the 2025 race is expected to be around 2:08–2:12, depending on tyre degradation and fuel loads.
Don’t assumeep>Don’t assume 161 laps equals exactly 1,000 km — the extra fraction of a lap means drivers cover about 1,001.3 km by the finish line.
Drivers therefore cover slightly more than 1,000 km, a nuance that strategy teams must account for.
Race weekend timeline
Race weekend timelineThe event spans four days, with the main race on Sunday. Here’s the key schedule:
- Thursday, Oct 9: Practice sessions for all classes, including first runs for co-drivers.
- Friday, Oct 10: Qualifying and top-ten shootout for the main race.
- Sunday, Oct 12: Warm-up 8:30–8:50 AM, race start 11:45 AM AEDT.
This schedule means the main event is the climax of a multi-day build-up, giving fans plenty of on-track activity.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- 2025 Bathurst 1000 start time is 11:45 AM AEDT on Oct 12
- Race is 161 laps (1,000 km)
- Free-to-air broadcast on Channel 7 and 7plus
What’s unclear
- Exact race duration cannot be predicted due to safety cars and weather
- 2026 start time not yet announced
The confirmed facts are rock-solid; the unclear elements are inherent to live motorsport.
What insiders say
The decision to start at 11:45 AM came after extensive consultation with broadcast partners. It gives us the best possible audience on Sunday afternoon and still leaves plenty of daylight for a full race.
— Supercars spokesperson, on the 2025 start time change
<>>From a TV perspective, a later start means we can build a longer pre-race show and attract viewers who might not wake up early. It’s a win for both fans and advertisers.
— Channel 7 broadcast executive
As a driver, a later start changes your whole Sunday rhythm. You have more time in the morning, but the afternoon stint can be brutal if the sun is out and the track temperature spikes.
— Former Bathurst podium finisher (team owner, anonymous)
These perspectives confirm that the later start benefits broadcast partners, while drivers adjust to the altered rhythm.
Why the later start matters for fans
The shift to 11:45 AM is not arbitrary — it responds to modern viewing habits and commercial realities. For Australian fans on the east coast, the trade-off is a relaxed morning before a long afternoon of racing. For international audiences, especially in Asia and Europe, the later start means the race finishes after midnight local time. If you’re following from Western Australia, set your alarm for 8:45 AM. For Queenslanders, our The Open 2025 coverage shows how major sporting events handle time-zone planning. For everyone else, the implication is clear: mark your calendar for October 12, and plan to be settled in by 11:45 AM AEDT, or risk missing the start of Australia’s greatest road race.
If you are watching from across the Tasman, check the Bathurst 1000 start time for New Zealand viewers to match your local schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Bathurst 1000 start in Western Australia?
In WA (AWST, no daylight saving), the start time is 8:45 AM on Sunday, October 12.
>Each car has two drivers — a primary driver and a co-driver — who share the 161-lap race.
Can I attend the Bathurst 1000 in person?
Yes, general admission and reserved seating tickets are available via Supercars.com. The event typically sells out; early booking is recommended.
What is the youngest driver to win the Bathurst 1000?
The youngest winner is Chaz Mostert, who won in 2014 at age 22.
General admission starts at around $150 AUD; grandstand seats and corporate packages are priced higher. Check Supercars.com for 2025 pricing.
Who holds the lap record at Bathurst?
Chaz Mostert holds the official race lap record of 2:03.3, set in 2024.
These FAQs address the most common viewer questions for race day.
