{"id":375203,"date":"2026-04-11T23:56:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T23:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/375203\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T23:56:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T23:56:11","slug":"supercars-news-matt-payne-fined-for-taupo-passenger-ride-incident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/375203\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercars news: Matt Payne fined for Taupo passenger ride incident"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Matt
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatt Payne in action at Taupo Motorsport Park. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n

Payne speared off the circuit at the Turn 11 hairpin during the Friday afternoon passenger laps.<\/p>\n

That breached a rule stating the driver \u201cmust maintain control of the car and must only use the race track during a ride\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe driver was conducting a ride and as the car entered Turn 11 a brake locked, and to maintain control and avoid collision the car was driven off the track,\u201d stewards detailed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe breach of not only using the race track during a ride is proven and a fine of $3000.00 is reasonable and consistent with penalties imposed for similar breaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Payne was under immense scrutiny heading into the weekend due to his status as the reigning Jason Richards Trophy winner and\u00a0uncertainty around his future at Grove Racing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He ended the weekend sixth in the now two-event JR Trophy battle following a pair of fifth place finishes \u2013 the first of those results coming despite a five-second penalty for an unsafe pit release.<\/p>\n

Win a limited edition 1:18 scale model #8 BJR Camaro. Enter Now. <\/a><\/p>\n

Supercars teams fined for personnel breaches<\/a><\/p>\n

Payne fared better than teammate Kai Allen, who was classified 23rd in the opener after copping damage on the opening lap.<\/p>\n

Allen banked eighth in the second race to be 10th in points for the weekend.<\/p>\n

Grove Racing\u2019s Brenton Grove said the team needs to \u201ccome out swinging\u201d at Ruapuna after dropping a place in the teams\u2019 championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a pretty wild two days. The weekend got shorter than it already was and it was very compressed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did a good job. I think we\u2019ve got some work to do. We understand the areas we need to get better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat race was quite tough but the boys moved forward and at the end of the day that\u2019s all we could ask for.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still got a good points haul but we need to come out swinging in Christchurch and move back up the pit lane order.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taupo marked the Grove team\u2019s first weekend without technical director Grant McPherson, who is currently serving a six-month notice period before moving to General Motors.<\/a><\/p>\n


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