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Important update on 1476AMMatt Payne takes pole position in first-ever Christchurch Supercars event
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • April 17th, 2026 3:42 pm
Matt Payne in the No. 19 Penrite Ford Mustang GT | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Matt Payne will start from pole in Friday's inaugural Christchurch Supercars race and edges closer to reclaiming the Jason Richards memorial trophy.
The 23-year-old Kiwi claimed pole position after recording a fastest time in the only practice session, despite having never raced at the Ruapuna circuit.
Payne finished his quick lap timing 1:21.2978 with a small margin of just 0.0308s over current championship leader Brodie Kostecki.
Kostecki and fellow Kiwi Ryan Wood fell just short of a pole position, and will start Race 10 from grid 2 and 3 respectively.
Payne’s Grove Racing teammate Kai Allen was fourth fastest.
The reigning Bathurst champ recently told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy he is looking for his first win of the 2026 Supercars season.
Payne said his car and lap speed has improved this season, allowing him the ability to qualify upfront but execution and minimising mistakes in races remains front of mind.
Last year, Taupo witnessed Payne win races 8 and 10 and secure the prestigious Jason Richards memorial trophy on Sunday.
Payne said it's a pleasure to race in front of a home crowd and it's “pretty cool” to do it twice this year.
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of Race 10 of the Supercars Championship this Friday from 4.25pm.
2026 Christchurch Super 440
Friday: Race 10 - 4:35pm.
Saturday: Race 11 qualifying - 10:05am, Race 12 qualifying - 11:00am, Race 11 - 12:45pm, Race 12 - 4:10pm.
Sunday: Race 13 qualifying - 11:50am, Top Ten Shoot Out - 12:45pm, Race 13 - 3:05pm.
