Payne stars in home country

New Zealand’s Matt Payne capped a dramatic weekend at Ruapuna Raceway by winning Sunday’s finale of the inaugural ITM Christchurch Super 440 in his Grove Racing Mustang, while Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Mustang) claimed the coveted Jason Richards Memorial Trophy (named in honour of the late Kiwi great Jason Richards and awarded to the best performing driver over the two New Zealand rounds of the Supercars Championship in Taupo and Ruapuna) after hometown hope Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw TWG Racing Toyota) suffered late heartbreak.

The Christchurch weekend began on Friday with Grove Racing young gun Kai Allen claiming his maiden Supercars victory in his Mustang, becoming the 89th winner in ATCC/Supercars history. Starting from fourth, Allen used strategy and track position to hold off Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing Mustang) in a tense closing stint, while Wood finished third to strengthen his hold on the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy standings.

Saturday looked set to belong to Payne before he lost victory in the opening race due to a loose wheel, but the Auckland driver responded perfectly by dominating the second race in front of a sold-out Ruapuna crowd. Payne won by more than 11 seconds from Feeney, while James Golding (Blanchard Racing Mustang) completed the podium. Wood finished fourth and entered Sunday’s 200-kilometre finale leading the JR Trophy standings by 33 points.

That set up a thrilling Sunday showdown.

Payne started from pole and was untouchable across the 61-lap race, leading home teammate Allen for Grove Racing’s first-ever Supercars 1-2 finish. Feeney finished third, enough to not only take the championship lead but also secure the prestigious Jason Richards Memorial Trophy.

“It was a perfect race for us,” Payne said.

“We had margin every time. It was really nice to have a quick car and just be able to execute. We were just damn fast and it was damn enjoyable.”

The race turned dramatically with six laps remaining when Wood’s Toyota engine failed while he was in position to claim the JR Trophy.

“I’m gutted obviously, it hurts,” Wood said.

“But I’m also so proud of everyone in this team, every one of our partners and supporters, everyone who’s helped get us here.”

Wood said the support from New Zealand fans had made the weekend unforgettable despite the result.

“The support these last few weeks has been so special. The Kiwis have showed up in force, everyone has been incredible. I can’t wait to get back next year already.

“I’m so proud, but we will definitely use this to fuel the rest of the year.”

Wood’s stoppage triggered a late Safety Car, creating one final twist in the JR Trophy battle.

“It’s not nice hearing those Safety Car boards and flags coming out with about five laps to go,” Payne said.

“It’s a real shame for Woody. He was obviously on for the JR Trophy, so I feel pretty sorry for him.”

At that stage, Feeney and Kostecki were tied on points for the JR Trophy, but the drama escalated again after the restart when Kostecki clashed with Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw TWG Racing Toyota) and spun out of contention. Mostert was later handed a 30-second penalty, sealing Feeney’s path to the iconic trophy named in honour of the late Jason Richards.

Feeney said the result was bittersweet.

“Firstly, your thoughts go out to Woody,” he said.

“We’ve had our differences, but to see him sitting on the sidelines at the end is tough luck for him. He’s had a great few races.

“But for us, we needed to catch a break, and we certainly did in that one.”

The Triple Eight driver also revealed he had no radio communication for the entire race, forcing him to race blind during the crucial closing laps.

“I had no idea what was going on. I didn’t know me and Brodie were tied up for that restart,” Feeney said.

“I was trying to do the maths in my head. I didn’t know when to pit, I didn’t know where we stood.

“To come across the line and see the Jason Richards Trophy was unbelievable.

“We have not been the fastest car in these two rounds, but to be the most consistent and come away with the JR Trophy is really special.”

The inaugural Christchurch Super 440 proved a major success, with Saturday and Sunday both sold out and total weekend attendance reaching 65,806. Supercars now returns to Australia for the Tyrepower Tasmania Super 440 at Symmons Plains Raceway on May 22–24.