He has been regarded as one of the best young racers to come out of New Zealand in recent times, and has been compared to three-time Supercars champion McLaughlin.
Payne’s rapid rise through the ranks has featured success in international karting and the Toyota Racing Series.
Payne completed 80 laps at Winton last week
His 2021 season has already featured a New Zealand Grand Prix podium and Porsche Carrera Cup race win in Townsville.
According to McLaughlin, Payne has shown the speed and adaptability required to make waves in the main game.
"He's a Kiwi so that’s probably one thing, but no, seriously, he's a really good racer," McLaughlin said.
"I've seen him race go-karts a number of times, he's in the Porsche series now obviously, and he raced Shane [van Gisbergen] in the TRS this year.
"He has been fast there, so he's obviously showing that he can switch around all different vehicles and be fast in all of them.
Payne won a Porsche race in Townsville
"I guess the last one he wants to be fast in, is a Supercar, and from all reports, it sounds like he's fantastic."
Payne is set to contest the remaining rounds of the 2021 Dunlop Super2 Series, and will also complete his current Carrera Cup campaign.
The program will offer driver and engineering training, sports psychology, plus business mentoring, and financial literacy.
Successful junior team inductees will receive a contribution to their racing budgets, in an effort to fast-track their careers to the Repco Supercars Championship.
The Grove Group has supported both McLaughlin and Anton De Pasquale as personal sponsors over the years, as well as fielding cars in Super2, Carrera Cup and various GT competitions and events.
The Grove Group have sponsored McLaughlin since 2014
"One thing that's awesome about the Grove family is the way that they've been able to come into the series and be a part of it and the fact that they're so passionate," McLaughlin said of the junior programme.
"They're so passionate not only about Supercars, but for motorsport itself, and I guess they're showing that passion by helping young people come through.
"They came on onto the scene with me and supported me when no one really knew who I was and they've been with me ever since, to this day I'm still supported by the Groves.
"It's a really healthy thing to see them in Supercars.
"I think it's great for Supercars, and I think it's great for young talent, and this opportunity and the young driver program they have started has been a long time coming for Australia and New Zealand.
"I think it's a great thing for the sport and for aspiring race drivers Down Under."
McLaughlin also said he was keen to help develop the next generation through his relationship with the Grove family.