Payne still honing in on Mustang comfort

Penrite Racing is still working on a solution to make Matt Payne comfortable in Lee Holdsworth’s car.

Payne, who comes in at 190cm, is readying for his Bathurst debut.

The Kiwi will share the #10 Penrite Mustang with Holdsworth, who is 170cm tall.

The 20cm difference is the equal biggest on the grid; Mark Winterbottom (185cm) is 20cm taller than Michael Caruso (165cm).

Holdsworth is no stranger to the situation, having raced with Chaz Mostert last year.

Mostert also comes in at 190cm, forcing Holdsworth to use a seat insert last year.

Despite the #10 Ford being engineered to his size, Holdsworth was seen at Tuesday’s test with a seat insert.

Payne drove the car during the Sandown co-driver session, and noted discomfort in the car.

Pouring a seat involves putting a large plastic bag over the standard race seat.

Expanding foam is them prepared and poured around the seated driver,

It leaves a shaped insert contoured to the driver.

Payne said the pedal box is also being adjusted to ensure he is ready for Bathurst start No. 1.

Holdsworth, meanwhile, will make his 19th start.

“We’re still trying to work out seating,” Payne said.

“Obviously Lee’s pretty short, but it seems alright at the moment.

“Just need to adjust the pedals a bit, but it’s all going well so far.

“I’ve just got to get in and do my job, not make any mistakes and give good feedback to the boys.”

Holdsworth is also facing a strange situation in having to defend his Bathurst title with a different co-driver.

Mostert will race with Fabian Coulthard, who is not only experienced, but just two centimetres shorter.

Regardless, Holdsworth was excited to compete against Mostert to get Bathurst bragging rights.

“After last year, it’s more special going back this year,” Holdsworth said.

“Obviously we want to defend the title, but there’s another bloke down there trying to defend the same title.

“Chaz and I have got a great relationship, we’re good mates.

“When the helmets go on for the race, we won’t be best mates anymore.

“We’ll be playing for keeps.”

Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.