Bathurst winner storms to first win of Supercars season
Oliver Caffrey |
Reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Matt Payne has converted pole in Christchurch to secure his first Supercars win of the season.
Payne did it easy in the second 37-lap sprint on Saturday, finishing ahead of Red Bull Ampol star Broc Feeney.
James Golding passed Payne’s New Zealand compatriot Ryan Wood on the last lap to pinch third place, ensuring an all-Ford podium.
It was an impressive recovery from Payne, who struck disaster in the first race on Saturday when he lost a tyre.
Earlier, championship leader Brodie Kostecki fended off a fierce challenge from young gun Kai Allen for his fifth win of the season.
Allen, who broke through for his maiden Supercars win on Friday in the first race of the Christchurch round, was on Kostecki’s tail for the majority of the first race of the day.
But the 2023 champion used his experience to hang tough amid a strong push from his fellow Ford rival.
There was barely a second between the pair for the entire race, with both drivers pitting at the same time.
It was a role reversal from Friday when Kostecki trailed Allen and was unable to find a way ahead.
“Got a ripper start again,” Kostecki said.
“We’ve been dialled in on that this weekend.
“We changed a lot on the car and we’ve got the same sort of pace, it feels like, to the guys next to us, but stoked to get the win.Â
“We had a little pit stop fumble, but was able to just use the clean air to my advantage.
“Towards the end, Kai did everything he could, he was up in my bumper … Once his front tyres got hot, it was game over.”
Emerging New Zealander Wood, who won in Taupo last weekend, drove superbly to finish third.
Pole-sitter Payne gave up his advantage at the start after being overtaken by Kostecki and Allen.
Payne was the last driver to pit as he attempted to reclaim the lead.
But the Kiwi favourite’s gamble backfired, rushing the pit stop before losing a tyre shortly after returning to the track.
AAP