Harry and Lewis Bates make Bathurst debut alongside Cameron Hill in Toyota 86 Series

As the eldest son of Canberra's motor-sport royalty Neal Bates, the 25-year-old has fond memories of being a Bathurst 1000 spectator.

But he and younger brother Lewis had a vastly different experience for their Mont Panorama debut, with no campers and only 4000 spectators allowed each day.

The Bates brothers earned guest entries into the Toyota 86 event, linking up with fellow Canberran and race car driver Cameron Hill.

The trio grew up together in Tuggeranong but the four-race series marked the first time they'd raced together as a team.

Hill lead the charge for Toyota Gazoo and placed second overall, while Harry and Lewis finished sixth and seventh respectively.

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"It was an incredible experience. It was a little bit daunting in the lead up because it's such an amazing track but also very steep and the walls are close. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was happy with how I went," Harry said.

"I think Lewis and I both exceeded our expectations. I certainly didn't expect to go there and be inside the top 10, and consistently like we were. I was very happy with my pace and to be racing up front of the field."

It was the Bates brothers' first competitive lap since claiming podium finishes in July's Rally of the Bay, with the national series scrapped this year due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Hill, who normally competes in the Porsche Carrera Cup, had not raced since the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix - saying it was great to be back in action.

"I was pretty happy with that [result]. I haven't driven those Toyota 86 cars for a couple of years now, so I was happy I could get back in and be quite competitive," Hill said.

"[Being in the team with the Bates] was pretty cool because it had a bit of a Canberra vibe to it, being all Canberra boys. We get along quite well, a good group of people to spend it with.

"As a team, we did exceptionally well which was cool. For Lewis, he's had very limited circuit racing and it was their first competitive laps at Bathurst."

The trio followed in the footsteps of Garth and Leanne Tander, Steven Johnson, and Glenn Seton as guest drivers in the Toyota 86 series. Hill and Peter Brock Medalist Bates had their races live-streamed from inside their vehicles.

Hill's racing season has now ended, but the Bates will shift their focus to next month's National Capital Rally in Canberra.

"We're very much looking forward to it and if anything, being in the car at Bathurst made me realise how much I'm desperate for Canberra to come because I cannot wait to be back in the rally car," Bates said

"The National Capital Rally is certainly one of my favourites. The roads are a challenge, it will be really good to finally be back in there at that level."