PENRITE RACING LOCKS IN 2023 DRIVER LINE-UP

David Reynolds and Matthew Payne will form Penrite Racing’s driver line-up for the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship.

Reynolds and Payne will lead the charge into a new era for Supercars when they pilot the teams Gen3 Ford Mustang’s.

A seven-time Supercars race winner, including victory at Bathurst in 2017, and a true character of the sport, Reynolds was glad to seal his future.

“I’m really happy to have the next stage of my career locked in, I really feel like we’re moving in the right direction together ahead of Gen3 and we’re all on the same page as a team as we continue to grow,” he said.

“We’ve had some strong results this year and we can continue to get better. It’ll be a good challenge having Matt join us full-time, he’s been quick in everything he’s raced so I hope we push each other and ultimately move the team forward.”

Across the garage from Reynolds, 19-year-old kiwi Matthew Payne will make his full-time Supercars Championship debut to replace the retiring Lee Holdsworth.

Having been earmarked as part of the sport’s next generation of stars after standout performances in Super2, Payne will grid up alongside the best in the business in the hardest test of his career to date.

“It’s a nice feeling to announce this prior to heading to Mount Panorama for my first Bathurst 1000. I would like to thank the whole Grove Group especially Steve, Brenton and Tania for placing so much belief in my ability from a very early stage in my racing career, and to my personal crew for making it all fall into place so early on,” he said.

“I feel ready for Supercars and the learning process that goes with it. Grove Racing is a team that has enormous potential and plenty of upside to succeed.

“The new Gen3 era is going to be exciting, and I can’t wait to hit the track next year but first is Bathurst – Lee and I have a job to do there, as well as my Super2 campaign, which we are still in with a shot of winning in our first year.”

Penrite Racing Team Owner, Stephen Grove, said: “Our 2023 driver line-up gives us great flexibility with the experience and continuity of Dave, combined with the first graduate of the Grove Junior Team into Supercar. Matt brings speed and a work ethic that drives success.

“The development of our next generation of driver in Matt, together with a vastly experienced driver in Dave makes for a great combination in 2023.”

Penrite Racing Team Principal, David Cauchi, praised both drivers while explaining their roles in the teams ongoing development.

“Our driver line-up next year provides us with a good mix of youth and experience. Dave has been a real leader for us and has shown everyone this year that he can be at the pointy end when he has the right car to work with, so we’re glad to extend our relationship with him,” he said.

“Matt has been a part of the Grove Junior Team and will be the first driver to come through that program and graduate to a main series seat. He has shown his ability in our Super2 car this year, and it will be exciting to see a fast rookie in the Supercars Championship.

“With the change to Gen3 cars and regulations in 2023, everyone will be adapting and learning a new car, so it will be a challenge for all drivers and teams.”

Payne will co-drive alongside Holdsworth at next week’s Bathurst 1000 from October 6-9.