How Payne has Tander hoping 'lightning strikes twice' at Bathurst

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Tander to make his 26th Bathurst start, third start for Payne

The opportunity to pair up with Matt Payne at Penrite Racing has Garth Tander believing history can repeat itself at the 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000.

Speaking today on the shores of Sydney Harbour at the official Bathurst 1000 event launch, Tander was highly complimentary of his 21-year-old co-driver Payne.

Payne has impressed many with his raw speed since he burst onto the Australian motorsport landscape in 2021 in Porsche Carrera Cup with Earl Bamber Motorsport.

Payne’s performances for Le Mans 24 Hour winner Bamber caught the eye of Grove Racing, who signed him as their inaugural Grove Junior Team driver in mid-2021.

A two-round Super2 cameo at the end of 2021 paved the way for what would become his only full season in the development series, finishing third at the wheel of a Nissan Altima.

The Kiwi also made his Bathurst 1000 debut in 2022 alongside Lee Holdsworth, finishing a strong sixth before replacing the 2021 Bathurst 1000 winner last year for the debut of Gen3.

Payne had an outstanding rookie season in Penrite colours, claiming a sensational maiden victory in the final race of the year on the streets of Adelaide.

However, Payne also caught the attention of Tander at Mount Panorama last year, where Payne was paired with Kevin Estre, a mainstay of Porsche’s World Endurance Championship program.

"I'm fortunate enough to see all his data and all his vision, and what he can do in a Supercar at such a young age is seriously impressive. He can do things in the race car I couldn't do at that age."

"So, I’m really excited to be sharing the car with Matt and help him on his journey. It’s still very early in his Supercars career and his Bathurst journey, but his first time at Bathurst last year, he stuck the car in the Top Ten Shootout. That's a massive effort to be able to achieve that," said Tander.

“He's ticked that one box. And hopefully we can tick a few more boxes next weekend.”

The opportunity to pair with and mentor a young driver reminds Tander of his 2011 Bathurst win with Nick Percat, the final Bathurst victory for the Holden Racing Team.

Percat, a long-time Walkinshaw prodigy, became the first rookie to win since 1977 after Tander held off Craig Lowndes in an iconic last lap duel.

“The last time I teamed up with a young driver at Bathurst, it was Nick Percat in 2011, and we won that race,” Tander said.

“Hopefully lightning strikes twice. Matt's in his second full-time year in the championship, and while he’s very laconic and very laid back, he's incredibly fast in a race car.”

The 2007 Supercars champion will make his 26th Bathurst start this year, having made his debut in 1998 with Garry Rogers Motorsport, whilst Payne makes his third start.

The enormity of the event on the Australian sporting calendar is something that has not been lost on Tander across his decorated career.

“Every time I drive into Bathurst and see Mount Panorama on the side of the mountain, even after 26 years, the hairs still stand up on the back of my neck," Tander said.

“It's such a big sporting event, it's every bit Australian motorsport’s AFL Grand Final, Boxing Day Test, Melbourne Cup. It's the one that matters.

“So, 26 years later, I’m fortunate enough to have had some success there.”

The 2024 Supercars Championship resumes at the Repco Bathurst 1000 from October 10-13. Tickets for the event are available now.