AS competitive a start to season 2026 as it enjoyed, Grove Racing categorises its Sydney 500 a failure.
Matt Payne is tied on points with championship leader Broc Feeney, and Kai Allen turned in a starring performance in the Sunday race, but the Groves are setting themselves an ultra-high benchmark.
“Honestly, anything but a win is now a failure for us,” said team owner Stephen Grove.
“So we’ve got to continue to work hard and tick everything off and continue to grow as a team.”
That’s not to say Grove was too downcast.
“We’ve got two really good young drivers in Matty Payne and Kai Allen, so to finish where we did is a positive outcome considering we didn’t have a great weekend,” he said.
Matt Payne on the Sunday podium. Pic: Ross Gibb
“It’s satisfying to have Matty equal top in the championship but it’s very early days.
“Now we’re excited to be heading to the Grand Prix as we have fast cars and we’ve done well there in the past.”
Round 2 will unfold at Albert Park across March 5-8.