Mostert leads Payne in ITM Taupo Super400 practice

Supercars hit the track at Taupo International Motorsport Park for the first time on Friday for a 90-minute practice session.

The track becomes New Zealand’s third venue to host a round of Supercars, after Pukekohe and the Hamilton Street Race.

Teams enjoyed significant run time without interruption and the rain that threatened held off for the entire session.

Less than one-tenth separated the top four, with Matt Payne’s late flyer falling 0.03 seconds short of Chaz Mostert’s 1:26.4937 benchmark set just minutes before.

Shell V-Power racing has quickly found pace in New Zealand, with Will Davison finishing the session as the third fastest, having led on several occasions. His teammate Anton De Pasquale was seventh.

James Golding jumped into the top three in the closing stages, only to be relegated to fourth following Payne’s flyer.

Will Brown was the fastest Red Bull Ampol Racing driver, finishing fifth, one-tenth off Mostert’s. Broc Feeney, having completed 35 laps, was left languishing in 21st.

Defending champion Brodie Kostecki made his first appearance of 2024 and went 12th fastest from 31 circuits.

Andre Heimgartner spent time in the top three and finished sixth, while Jaxon Evans showed impressive pace for eighth in his first outing at the venue.

David Reynolds, competing in his 200th Supercars round, and Nick Percat completed the top ten.

Ryan Wood had a late off at the Turn 11 hairpin before the back straight on his final flyer and finished the session 17th.

Grove Racing’s Richie Stanaway was 19th.

Tyre degradation was a talking point for teams, with a varying surface challenging several drivers.

Rain is also expected to play a factor on Saturday.

Supercars next take to the track for Race 7 qualifying at 10.20 am on Saturday. The Top 10 Shootout follows at noon before the race at 3.05 pm.

Sunday’s action begins with qualifying at 10.45 am, the Top 10 Shootout at 12.25 pm and Race 8 at 3.05 pm.

For everything you need to know about this weekend’s ITM Taupo Super400, click here.