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Important update on 1476AMMatt Payne hunts back-to-back victory in Taupō to retain Jason Richards memorial trophy
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • April 8th, 2026 2:48 pm
Matt Payne with the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy | Photo: Photosport
Reigning Taupō Super 440 champion Matt Payne has high hopes of going back-to-back this weekend, to retain the Jason Richards trophy and claim his first win of the season.
Payne told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy he is looking for a win this weekend after a handful of winless podiums in Sydney and Melbourne to start the new season.
Last year, Taupō witnessed Payne win races 8 and 10, finish 4th in race 9 and secure the prestigious Jason Richards memorial trophy on Sunday.
“I’m really excited to head back home, it's always a pleasure to race in front of a home crowd and we get to do it twice this year so it’s gonna be pretty bloody cool.”
Payne said his car and lap speed has improved this season, allowing him the ability to qualify upfront but executing well and minimising mistakes is at the forefront of his mind.
“We don’t get much practice going there (Taupo) on Friday so it's really important that we roll out strong.
“If we can get it into the window, there's no doubt I think we can give ourselves a good opportunity to try and secure the JR trophy for another year.”
In Supercars' ‘Face To Face’ series, Payne described the JR trophy as the “holy grail” and said having the trophy in his hands last year was pretty surreal.
Payne added that it’s pretty special to come home with some great achievements under his belt including last year's Bathurst win, a race he said not just the diehards' watch.
“I want to see as many people out there as we can get, flying the New Zealand flag and rooting for us instead of the Australians.”
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the Supercars Championship in Taupo (April 11-12) and Christchurch (April 18-19).
Listen to the full interview:
2026 Taupō Super 440
Friday: Practice 1 - 1:50pm, Practice 2 - 2:30pm
Saturday: Qualifying (Race 8) - 10:15am, Qualifying (Race 9) - 11:10am, Race 8 - 12:55pm, Race 9 - 4:05pm
Sunday: Qualifying (Race 10) - 11:40am, Top Ten Shoot Out - 12:35, Race 10 - 3:05pm
2026 Christchurch Super 440
Friday: Practice 1 - 1:55pm, Practice 2 - 2:35pm
Saturday: Qualifying (Race 11) - 10:05am, Qualifying (Race 12) - 11:00am, Race 11 - 12:45pm, Race 12 - 4:10pm
Sunday: Qualifying (Race 13) - 11:50am, Top Ten Shoot Out - 12:45, Race 13 - 3:05pm
Matt Payne on winning Bathurst from 18th | Sport Nation Afternoons
