MATT Payne’s peerless performance on the Sunday of the Christchurch Super440 earnt him a spot in an exclusive slice of ATCC/Supercars Championship history.
The Kiwi became the fourth driver to taste victory in their 100th championship start, 25 years after a famous compatriot became the first to achieve the feat…
Greg Murphy – 2001 Eastern Creek, Race 1
Greg Murphy at Eastern Creek 2001. Pic: an1images.com / Andrew Hall
The man who won his very first race, also got the job done in his 100th.
Starting a 26-lapper from fifth behind Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Steven Richards and Glenn Seton, there was plenty of work to do – and a slice of drama certainly didn’t hurt!
‘Murph’ didn’t lead a single lap but inherited victory after Lowndes (first) and Ambrose (second) picked up 29-second post-race time penalties.
Both related to Murphy, funnily enough – Lowndes for passing his former Holden Racing Team buddy under yellow flags, and Ambrose for hitting the #51 while making a pass.
Marcos Ambrose – 2004 Gold Coast, Race 1
Marcos Ambrose at the 2004 Gold Coast round. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley
Ambrose was already a champion by this time and was well on his way to back-to-back titles when he secured victory in the opening race at Surfers Paradise.
It was another contest filled with controversy though, with Ambrose fined $10,000 for careless driving and failing to exercise reasonable care after crossing the control line at the end of the race (in other words, allegedly brake-testing Rick Kelly).
Broc Feeney – 2025 Symmons Plains, Race 2
The top three from Race 12: Broc Feeney, Nick Percat and Cam Waters. Pic: Supplied/Mark Horsburgh
Broc Feeney was just getting started on his mid-season tear when he celebrated his century in style… albeit needing to do it the hard way.
A decision to fit his #88 with four tyres at its compulsory pitstop cost Feeney track position, forcing him to pass Macauley Jones and Nick Percat to take the win.
Percat, as it turns out, will be his Ryco Enduro Cup co-driver this year.
Our Top Five Classic V8 Utes Shunts and Serve Ups!
On our Top Five, with thanks to Shell OTR, we count down our five biggest V8 Utes Series shunts and serve up, and this list includes some classics!