Payne confirmed for Bathurst 1000 co-drive

Kiwi teenager Matthew Payne will make his Supercars debut in, undoubtedly, the biggest race of the year.

Payne will race with Grove Racing in this year’s Bathurst 1000.

“A childhood dream come true,” Payne wrote on social media. “I can’t wait to be part of this great race.”

It’s not exactly ‘breaking news.’ Payne has been part of the Grove Racing family for some time. He was even touted as a potential replacement for Andre Heimgartner at the start of the year.

Ultimately, that seat fell the way of Lee Holdsworth, and Payne has spent the year perfecting his craft in the Super2 and European Le Mans championships.

Payne has had a few tests in the Grove Racing Mustang, including one at Winton Raceway on Tuesday.

There’s no official word about who Payne will partner at Bathurst, but we expect it to be with David Reynolds in the No.26 Mustang.

Payne is currently en route to Italy for the latest ELMS round at Imola.