In a commanding display of control and composure, Kiwi driver Matt Payne claimed the prestigious Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, cruising to victory in Race 10 of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship at the ITM Taupō Super 440.
Driving for Penrite Racing, Payne made his move early, taking the lead from Cameron Hill on lap 8 of the 61-lap race and never looking back. Despite two pit stop cycles and plenty of mid-race chaos behind him, Payne was unflappable as he secured a memorable win on home soil.
The victory cements Payne’s place among Supercars royalty, joining fellow New Zealanders Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin as winners of the coveted Richards Trophy.
The race burst into action from the first corner, with chaos unfolding as De Pasquale ran wide at Turn 1 and Allen was spun around. Brodie Kostecki, who had started from pole, was forced off track by Ryan Wood at Turn 8, opening the door for Hill and Thomas Randle to surge through. Payne, who had tucked into second behind Hill, wasted no time applying pressure.
Race Control noted Wood’s Turn 8 move, later handing the Kiwi a five-second time penalty for his over-zealous lunge.
By lap 8, Payne made his decisive move. He dived down the inside of Hill, who was left wide and vulnerable, allowing Randle to slip through into second. Wood followed in third, with the rest of the field shuffling behind.
Strategic pit stops soon took centre stage. Wood served his penalty on lap 14. Hill and De Pasquale pitted a lap later, with the latter's longer fuel fill dropping him to the rear. Payne pitted on lap 16 and rejoined ahead of Hill and Brown. Randle came in a lap later and slotted behind Brown.
Kostecki and Mostert stopped on lap 21, with other mid-pack drivers following in the next lap. Once the first cycle settled, Payne was out in front again, leading Hill, Randle, Brown, and Heimgartner.
Meanwhile, Feeney, who had started 20th, began his charge through the pack, ultimately setting the fastest lap of the race and climbing into the top ten by the end.
With the lead group eyeing their second stops, Kostecki took the initiative, pitting on lap 38. Hill, Randle, and Wood responded a lap later. The strategy shuffle worked for Kostecki, who managed to jump Randle. Payne and Brown pitted soon after, with Mostert completing his final stop on lap 42.
When the dust settled, Payne held a solid three-second lead over Hill. Behind them, Kostecki came under heavy fire from both Randle and a fast-charging Mostert. Mostert eventually got past both drivers, moving into third and setting his sights forward.
The final top ten saw Payne, Hill, Mostert, Kostecki, Randle, Heimgartner, Feeney, Brown, Will Davison and James Golding. Cam Waters finished just outside in 12th after starting 18th.
Next Stop: Tasmania
As the teams reset and prepare for the next round at the Snowy River Caravans Tasmania Super 440 from May 9–11, Matt Payne’s breakthrough win serves as a powerful statement. On a day of chaos, penalties and comebacks, it was the Kiwi’s calm, calculated performance that stood tall.
