Matthew Payne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matt Payne |
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Matt Payne at Sydney Motorsport Park in 2024
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| Nationality |  New Zealander |
| Born | 3 October 2002 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Supercars Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2022 |
| Current team | Grove Racing |
| Racing licence |  FIA Gold |
| Car no. | 19 |
| Starts | 79 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Podiums | 6 |
| Poles | 2 |
| Best finish | 6th in 2024 |
| Previous series | |
| 2021 2021 |
Toyota Racing Series Porsche Carrera Cup Australia |
| Championship titles | |
| 2021 | Toyota Racing Series |
Matthew Allen "Matt" Payne (born 3 October 2002) is a talented New Zealand racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand. He currently competes in the exciting Supercars Championship with Grove Racing, driving the No. 19 Ford Mustang GT. Matt achieved a huge milestone by winning the famous 2025 Bathurst 1000 race alongside Garth Tander.
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Matt Payne's Racing Journey
Matt Payne started his racing adventure at a young age, showing incredible skill and speed.
Starting with Karting
Before moving to bigger race cars, Matt was a champion in karting. He won several important karting titles in New Zealand, including the New Zealand Sprint Championship - Cadet in 2012 and the New Zealand Sprint Championship - KZ2 in 2019. His success in karting proved he had what it takes to become a professional racer.
Winning the Toyota Racing Series
In 2021, Matt stepped up to compete in the Toyota Racing Series, a major open-wheel championship. He joined the M2 Motorsport team and quickly made an impression. The opening round, the 2021 New Zealand Grand Prix at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, saw Matt finish third in all three races, including the Grand Prix itself. This was a fantastic start for his debut in open-wheel racing.
Matt continued his amazing performance, winning five of the next six races. He easily won the overall 2021 Toyota Racing Series championship, finishing well ahead of the second-place driver, Kaleb Ngatoa. This victory showed everyone that Matt was a rising star in motorsport.
Supercars Championship Adventures
After his success in the Toyota Racing Series, Matt moved on to race in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and the Super2 Series, where he also achieved podium finishes and wins. These experiences prepared him for the top-tier Supercars Championship.
Racing with Grove Racing
Matt Payne joined Grove Racing in the Supercars Championship in 2022. This is one of the most competitive racing series in Australia and New Zealand, featuring powerful Ford Mustang GT and Chevrolet Camaro cars. Matt quickly adapted to the challenge, showing his talent against experienced drivers.
In the 2023 season, Matt secured his first Supercars win at the Adelaide 500, a truly memorable moment in his career. He continued to improve, and by the 2024 season, he had achieved four wins and nine podium finishes, ending the year in an impressive 3rd place overall.
Conquering the Bathurst 1000
One of the most famous and challenging races in the world is the Bathurst 1000 in Australia. Matt Payne competed in this endurance race several times, and his hard work paid off.
In 2025, Matt Payne, teamed up with racing legend Garth Tander, achieved the ultimate victory by winning the Bathurst 1000! This incredible win is a highlight of his career and a dream come true for any racing driver.
Here's a look at his Bathurst 1000 results:
| Year | Team | Car | Co-driver | Position | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Grove Racing | Ford Mustang S550 |  Lee Holdsworth |
6th | 161 |
| 2023 | Grove Racing | Ford Mustang S650 |  Kévin Estre |
11th | 161 |
| 2024 | Grove Racing | Ford Mustang S650 | Garth Tander |
DNF | 130 |
| 2025 | Grove Racing | Ford Mustang S650 | Garth Tander |
1st | 161 |
