Promising Rookie Day Fuels Momentum Heading into AGP

After achieving finishes of P10 and P7 at the Bathurst 500, second-year rookie Matt Payne of Penrite Racing headed back to Winton Motor Raceway for an essential rookie test day. His goal was to enhance his performance for the rest of the Supercars season. The session provided Payne and his team with an opportunity to fine-tune their understanding of the car and build upon the momentum gained from the season opener.

With the experience of a full season under his belt, Payne approached the test day with a sense of determination and purpose, eager to demonstrate his growth as a driver.

“After a solid showing at the Bathurst 500, it’s crucial to maintain our momentum and continue pushing forward,” commented Payne. “The rookie day at Winton provided the perfect platform for us to explore new ideas and refine our approach. Every lap counts, and this was all about maximising our potential.”

Throughout the day, Payne and the crew focused on their test plan, experimenting with various setups, making adjustments, and closely monitoring the car’s response. Their primary objective was to understand the car at a deeper level, investigating new ways to enhance performance, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and improvement.

“This is the essence of testing,” explained Jack Bell, Race Engineer for Car #19. “It provides us with the opportunity to refine and understand every aspect of our performance. We’re constantly on the lookout for ways to improve as a team, pushing the boundaries to deliver the fastest cars possible on track.

As attention now turns to the Australian Grand Prix scheduled for March 21 to 24, Payne remains focused on the challenges that lie ahead, eager to showcase his progress on one of the biggest stages in racing.