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How Payne overcame mixed conditions

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 20, 2024

Some big fish were caught out by the mixed conditions during Taupo Qualifying and leader Matt Payne is edgy about more challenges in the Top 10 Shootout.

Home hero Payne emerged on top to claim provisional pole with a 1: 27.9684, the best part of a tenth ahead of the rest.

Drivers were greeted with light drizzle and an ever evolving track across the tough 15-minute session, forcing them to be adaptable at any given moment.

Whilst the likes of Broc Feeney and Brodie Kostecki could not make the 10, Payne found the most speed being the only one in the 1m27s window.

Reflecting on experience behind the wheel, the Grove Racing driver admitted it was tough to judge conditions, especially on the new surface sections.

“It was really tough,” Payne said on Fox Sports.

“We were just planning on doing a warm up on the first outing and then they said I think it is raining now so we had to carry on.

“It was pretty hectic and I just drove it to the grip I had.

“The track was pretty dicey in some places and on the new surface you could not tell if it was dry or not and pick out the right line.

Matt Payne taking on the wet conditions in Taupo qualifying. Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

“We managed to do a good lap when it mattered and I think the rain hampered everyone at the very end.”

Looking ahead to the Top 10 Shootout at 10.00 AEST, Payne is far from confident of taking a second career pole.

More rain could be on the way ahead of the one-lap dash, which means the fight for pole could become a lottery all about timing.

But if the track remains consistently wet throughout, Payne is looking forward to the challenge with a number of different lines on offer to gain time in Taupo in damp conditions. 

“It will be tough,” he said.

“If it is fully wet there are a lot of different lines you can take around this place with all the different surfaces so we will have to play it by ear.

“I think there could be another band of rain coming which could make things tough.

“If it is wet or dry I will have fun anyway.”

Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

Taupo Super400 schedule (all times AEDT)

Friday, April 19

Practice: 1: C. Mostert 1:26.4937 2: M. Payne +0.0318 3: W. Davison +0.0508

Saturday, April 20

Qualifying Race 7: 08.20

Top 10 Shootout: 10.00

Race 7 (60 laps): 13.05

Sunday, April 21

Qualifying Race 8: 08.45

Top 10 Shootout: 10.25

Race 7 (60 laps): 13.05

Don’t forget the latest issue of the free digital version of Auto Action is out now!

Or subscribe to the print edition here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

After a break that feels like months, the Supercars Championship is back and headed across the ditch to Taupo in the middle of the North Island. And yes, Brodie Kostecki will be there! As will the rain.

Somehow, the rain will also be in China for F1’s return to 中国. Philip Island was stunning on the weekend, just gone, if a little cold, but we chatted about whether Supercars should return to the land of penguins.

Plus, there’s more… all the news in the way only the Auto Action RevLimiter can deliver.

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

    

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