Grove Racing embraces Kiwi spirit

As Supercars returns to Aotearoa next weekend, Grove Racing’s all-Kiwi combination will be hard to miss with a special NZ-themed livery.

With Grove Racing sporting two of the home heroes in Matt Payne and Richie Stanaway, many in the sold out stands at Taupo will have their eyes peeled on cars #19 and #26 and they will be hard to miss with a shiny native paint scheme commentating Supercars return to New Zealand.

The usual black base of the livery has shifted to shiny silver in similar fashion to the golden look raced with success at the end of 2023.

But to further enhance the Kiwi flavour, New Zealand specific items such as the silver fern, Kiwi and the New Zealand map are scattered around the car.

The new look will only give extra significance for Payne, who will be racing on home soil for the first time.

“It is a really cool livery and the whole team has done a great job at putting it all together,” Payne told AUTO ACTION.

“It is different and will look really cool on track. It is nice for the sponsors to come together and do something special for the Kiwi round.

“I really like it and it will be special to race with this kind of support for the home race.

“The silver print and design are simply awesome. The support from our New Zealand fans means the world to us, and we are keen to put on an unforgettable show for them.”

Payne arrives in Taupo in hot form having won the 2023 season finale and come close to winning at Melbourne only for those races to slipway in dramatic fashion.

However, he still stood on the podium twice at Albert Park and sits a strong seventh in the championship.

Payne said he will have plenty of support in Taupo.

“It will be my first time racing in New Zealand in Supercars,” he said.

“The atmosphere will be something to remember with the event being sold out.

“All my friends and family are coming and there are a lot of people I know and grew up racing against will be there.

“It is cool to bring our show back to New Zealand.”

Stanaway has enjoyed a fast start to life back on the full-time grid, sitting sixth in the championship with a consistent run of results highlighted by three top 10 finishes.

But on home turf he wants silverware.

 “We are ready to race hard on the track and make our Kiwi fans proud,” Stanaway said.

“I am determined to improve on my performance from the previous rounds and aim for those top spots as we return home.”

With two fast drivers, Grove Racing is currently leading a tight race for second in the teams championship behind the dominant Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Grove Racing CEO Brenton Grove said he is looking forward to his two Kiwi drivers enjoying plenty of home support.

“To have a New Zealand livery is really exciting for the team as we head to what we feel is like our second home,” he said. 

“We can’t wait to celebrate the event with our Kiwi fans and show off how proud the team is to be in New Zealand. 

“The cars look great, the drivers are ready. We can’t wait to hit the track over there and soak in the atmosphere.”

Payne and Stanaway will be leading the Kiwi charge on home turf for the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy at the Taupo Super400 on April 19-21.

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ THE LATEST DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Podcast: Brodie Kostecki is back and the Auto Action RevLimiter is back to Wednesday Breakfast.

We talk about the return of Kostecki, the death of Bev Brock, and malaise overcoming F1. And then there’s all the latest news.. out now on your podcast app of choice or here Australia’s Leading Motorsport News Podcast | The RevLimiter

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here