Grove 'impressed' by Payne's Supercar test

Brenton Grove wasn't surprised by Matthew Payne's ability to quickly adapt to Supercar machinery following an "impressive" test day.

Kiwi teen Payne underwent a test day at Winton Motor Raceway on Monday as part of an evaluation with Kelly Grove Racing.

It comes just weeks after the 18-year-old was named as the inaugural inductee of the Grove Junior Team.

Payne completed close to 80 laps in one of Kelly Grove Racing's Nissan Altima Super2 cars.

Team co-owner Grove and Kelly Grove Racing driver David Reynolds were both present at Winton.

Payne worked alongside the team's engineers to gain an understanding of the Altima Supercar - and Grove liked what he saw.

"Matt has fitted in well with the team so far and his ability to pick up the car has been quite impressive,” Grove said.

"It’s really nothing we didn’t expect, hence why he’s in the Grove Junior Team program.

"The way he has been able to fit in with the team, make the most of every run and improve quite significantly is really encouraging for the future."

Payne is regarded as one of the best young racers to come out of New Zealand in recent times.

The teen had been based in Europe learning his craft by racing the best karters in the world.

Payne won the 2019 Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship in the KZ2 class and took victory in a round of the Australian championship on debut.

The 2021 season has already featured a New Zealand Grand Prix podium and Porsche Carrera Cup race win in Townsville.

The Townsville victory comes amid Payne's transition to tin tops in 2021, with the young gun sixth overall in the one-make series standings.

Payne’s running at Winton was part of the newly-established Grove Junior Team's investment in the future of young drivers.

The Grove Junior Team will aim to give young drivers opportunities at the beginning of their motorsport career to aid their journey to the Repco Supercars Championship.

Payne has yet to gain any experience racing a Supercar, but the door remains open for a new driver to partner Reynolds in 2022.

It was announced earlier this month that Andre Heimgartner will leave the team at season's end.

For Payne, Monday’s running marked a key step in his pathway to a Supercars seat.

"I just drove a Supercar for the first time and it’s pretty cool," he said.

"Obviously, there’s a bit going on inside of the car, it’s very entertaining and pretty difficult to tame, but I loved it.

"It’s a bit different to the Porsche, you don’t have to take your hands off the wheel in the Cup Car, but it all seems to have come naturally.

"I’ve really enjoyed it.”

A string of Super2 starts have been earmarked for Payne in 2021, but he remained focused on finishing his Porsche campaign strongly.

Regardless, Payne was delighted to have been handed the opportunity to drive a Supercar so early in his days as a Grove junior.

"It was great to not only drive the car but work with the team,” he said.

"They’re an awesome bunch of guys passionate about their job and I can tell already they want success.

"Getting to tour the factory was a cool opportunity and to see the facilities first hand was awesome.

"I think we’re starting to work really well with each other and we’re building a good base.

"From now, my focus is on finishing Carrera Cup as best as I can. We’ll see where the next rounds are and get prepared to push as hard as we can."