Payne to undergo Supercar evaluation

Matthew Payne is set to undergo a Supercars evaluation with Kelly Grove Racing.

Payne, who was named as the inaugural inductee of the Grove Junior Team earlier this month, will test at Winton Motor Raceway on Monday.

The New Zealand driver is set to drive one of the Braeside squad's Nissan Altima Super2 cars as part of an evaluation for the Grove Junior Team.

The 18-year-old will spend the day working alongside the team's engineers at Winton as he bids to gain a greater understanding of Supercar machinery.

As part of his role in the Grove Junior Team, Brenton Grove will be present at the evaluation day as a mentor.

The evaluation day is part of the newly-established Grove Junior Team's investment in the future of young drivers.

The junior team will aim to give young drivers opportunities at the beginning of their motorsport career to aid their pathway to the Repco Supercars Championship.

"I really can't wait to drive this car at Winton today," Payne said.

"It has always been a dream of mine to race in Supercars, so today is the first opportunity to see what it's like.

"I can't thank Stephen and Brenton Grove enough for not only this evaluation day but for giving me the chance in the new Grove Junior Team.

"It's a very exciting time and I'm looking forward to rewarding their faith in me."

Payne has yet to gain any Supercars experience, but the door is open for the teen to join Kelly Grove Racing in 2022.

The team has yet to lock in a 2022 teammate for David Reynolds after it was recently announced that Andre Heimgartner will leave the team at season's end.

Gifted Kiwi Payne has risen through the ranks and has achieved success at every turn, attracting the attention of the Grove squad.

In his first year of car racing, Payne has been a stand-out in the Porsche Carrera Cup, taking a race win and currently sitting sixth in the title standings.