Supercars News: Kiwi Matt Payne claims provisional Bathurst pole
Rising kiwi star Matt Payne secured provisional pole in a dramatic 40-minute qualifying session for the Repco Bathurst 1000, which ended with a heavy crash involving two-time winner Will Davison at The Dipper.
Payne posted a fastest lap of 2:05.6452 in his Grove Racing Ford Mustang, narrowly edging out fellow Ford driver, Monster Energy’s Cam Waters by just 0.006.
Red Bull Camaro driver Broc Feeney was on a flying lap that could have challenged Payne’s time, but a red flag for Davison’s crash brought the session to an early conclusion, leaving Feeney in third position.
“To be P1 in provisional qualifying is pretty cool,” Payne said.
“I didn’t really think we quite had it. I knew we were going to be in the top five, but to be first is really good.
“It’s amazing how tight the top four are, really. We’re all within the same tenth. The competition’s incredible out there. Everyone’s driving at such a high limit.
“I think I got out of the car, and I’m like almost about to have a heart attack because I’m breathing that hard. It’s probably more from excitement.”
Full Boost Mobile Qualifying Results
The group that will contest tomorrow’s Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout officially is:
- Matt Payne, Penrite Racing
- Two-time Bathurst 1000 pole winner Cam Waters
- Broc Feeney, who partners with the great Jamie Whincup for the race
- Defending Supercars’ Champion Brodie Kostecki
- Championship leader Will Brown
- Two-time Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert
- Brad Jones Racing’s Andre Heimgartner
- Erebus’ Jack Le Brocq
- Shell Ford’s Anton De Pasquale
- Payne’s teammate and defending Bathurst 1000 Champion Richie Stanaway