Taupō and Christchurch are set for high-octane V8 Supercars action over the next two weekends. 

It’s the first time the Supercars championship has held two rounds in New Zealand, and the driver who collects the most points over the two rounds will be awarded the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, named after the Kiwi driver who succumbed to cancer in 2011. 

Matt Payne is one of three Kiwis racing and will be hoping for the same success he had last year, when he won in Taupō.  

He told Mike Hosking that it’s been a while since they’ve had back-to-back rounds, especially in New Zealand. 

“It’s a little bit different logistically,” Payne explained. 

“Everyone gets used to it, but for everyone, I think it’s good to stay on the roll.”  

“Obviously the more racing we can do, the better, and two weekends in New Zealand is, yeah, dream come true for me.” 

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