“We’ve obviously been on a pretty strong run of results and got back close to Broc [Feeney]. I think our consistency has been the best thing rather than anything else.
“It’s just been good to get lots of consecutive podiums and collect a nice big points haul, which has been great for us.
“Being second in the championship shows the work that everyone’s been putting in in terms of car speed and things like that to continually improve the car.”
Townsville is first of the traditional hardcore street circuits in the series, and with no room for error, there might be an indicator by the end of the weekend as to who could establish themselves as title contenders.
The track tests man and machine with heavy braking areas, kerbs that’ll damage suspension, changes in tarmac and nowhere to rest.
“This track is definitely one of the best we have on a calendar, so I really enjoy it. It’s got a lot of tyre degradation, which is cool. I just wish we do a little bit longer races like they used to be,” Payne said.
Supercars championship wide open heading into Townsville. Photo / Edge Photographics
“We’re going to stick to our [car set-up and balance] philosophy and then just sort of work around what the track needs.
“It’s [Townsville] a good test for the cars and I like the layout. I like the types of corners they have and also the surfaces are very mixed that makes for high tyre degradation, which I like. It’s challenging with a unique layout, so it requires something pretty different from the car which is pretty cool,” Payne said.
Drivers will not only be vying for the Sprint Cup, but also keeping one eye on making it into the top 10 to get into The Finals. At Townsville it’s anyone’s game, with James Golding, Chaz Mostert and Jack Le Broq all needing points to haul themselves out of the danger zone of missing out on The Finals.
“We’ve been looking at that [making The Finals] for most of the year. I think in the position we’re in at the moment, we’re all looking pretty good. We’d love to take the championship lead [at the end of the weekend] and try and continue the run of results we’re on.
“But at the same time we’re kind of just taking it race-by-race and trying to focus on each race and get as many points as we can. Sort of like taking the big picture out of it and just focus on what we can control,” Payne said.
There was a short 35-lap race yesterday, with a longer 68-lap race today and another on Sunday.