Matthew Payne drove a Supercar for the first time today, as the young Kiwi continues to evaluate what lies ahead for his future.
Payne, 18, steered a Super2-spec Nissan Altima prepared by Kelly Grove Racing at Winton Raceway in Victoria.
The test was his first opportunity to experience a V8-powered touring car.
Ex-Super2 driver Brenton Grove was mentoring Payne through the day.
Payne is considered a hot favourite to debut in the Supercars championship next season.
Kelly Grove Racing, which gets re-branded as Grove Racing in 2022, splits with Andre Heimgartner at the end of the current year.
Heimgartner moves to Brad Jones Racing while Payne is expected to fill the vacant seat. He is a Grove Racing Junior driver, joining the team on a multi-year deal earlier in the month.
“It has always been a dream of mine to race in Supercars, so today is the first opportunity to see what it’s like,” Payne said.
Payne could race in the remaining Super2 rounds with Grove Racing or run an entire campaign next year if the team doesn’t think he is ready to jump into the main game.
He also requires dispensation from Motorsport Australia to race in Supercars next year.
Payne emphatically won the Castrol Toyota Racing Series this year. It was his first season racing single-seaters.
He then moved to Australia and competes in the Porsche Carrera Cup series with Team Porsche New Zealand.
A victory at the latest round in Townsville has him sixth in the standings.
