It was bound to happen, wasn’t it.
Just three rounds into his rookie Australian Porsche Carrera Cup season, Matthew Payne has won his first race.
After claiming pole in yesterday’s sole qualifying session in Townsville, a clutch drama saw the young Kiwi fall to last.
He then put on a clinic to storm back through the field to finish tenth.
In race two, Payne survived a crash-filled opening few laps to claim his maiden podium.
Then, in the final race of the weekend, Payne got his break.
The teenager started third but was up to second after an early tussle with Cameron Hill.
Payne then reeled in race leader Cooper Hill before dekeing his way into first at the last corner on lap six.
With no one ahead of him, Payne ran away unchallenged to his first race win.
“I love the track, the car was awesome and very balanced the whole race,” Payne said.
“P1 was a little long time coming for us as we’ve qualified pole twice, so to do this in our third race is just awesome.”
The defending Toyota Racing Series champion is racing with Team Porsche New Zealand this season, with strong backing from Earl Bamber Motorsport.
The Carrera Cup championship is set to have its next round at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 20-22.
