Matt Payne’s incredible 2022 form has continued, this time with a podium in Super2 Race 1 at Bathurst. It was a shortened and wet affair, drivers tip-toeing around a wet track until a Lap 5 incident brought about a safety car period.
The race never restarted, Zak Best taking victory from pole, Tyler Everingham claiming second with Payne rounding out the podium.
The treacherous conditions, with water flowing at Griffins Bend and the Chase, brought about a rolling start under a safety car, the race not going green until Lap 3.
The field grew in confidence with no major incidents until Lap 5. Angelo Mouzouris, who had passed championship-leader Declan Fraser for fifth the corner prior, running into the Griffins Bend barriers.
The crash saw him run deep into the corner, wedging the car under the tyre barrier and sustaining major damage.
Car retrieval and damage to the barrier saw the event go down to time. Only 11 of the 18 scheduled laps were completed.
Best, having led from the start, held on for the win, Everingham unchallenged in second.
Payne managed an overtake on Cameron Hill for third at Griffins that very same lap, the drama unfolding right behind and bringing out the caution only after the move was complete.
Hill held on for fourth, whilst Fraser regained the fifth position Mouzouris had taken, the corner prior, after his crash.
The Dunlop Super2/Super3 series returns to the track today with a qualifying session and Race 2.
Qualifying begins at 10.50am NZ time, the 18-lap Race 2 following at 6pm tonight.
