AN under-the-radar test day underpinned Grove Racing’s improved form at the recent OTR SuperSprint.
Grove was one of few teams still with two full test days up its sleeve – until sneaking in a low-key penultimate test at Winton between the Sydney Motorsport Park and Tailem Bend rounds.
That eventuated on August 8, and preceded a particularly strong Round 8 for Matt Payne.
The 20-year-old Kiwi qualified seventh, third and fifth for the three races at The Bend and was on-track for a hat-trick of top seven race results until being brought unstuck by a slow pitstop in the event closer.
With David Reynolds also challenging for a Race 2 podium, it marked a big uptick for the squad which has slumped to 10th in the teams’ championship.
Team principal David Cauchi credited learnings from the test outing as helping get the Penrite Mustangs back up the front.
“We developed our understanding of the car,” Cauchi told V8 Sleuth of the test.
“We had a new aero package that we’ve only had for a few rounds now so you sort of have to re-learn things and re-evaluate; some things that worked earlier in the year might not work now with this package.
“So yeah, it was valuable for us, without question.”
Having endured a tough run across several events, the return to form is especially timely for Payne ahead of his maiden Sandown 500, for which he’ll be paired with Kevin Estre.
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“This category is tough for rookies, we know that, it has been proven time and time again,” said Cauchi.
“So for Matt to come out and have a really solid weekend, qualifying and racing, is fantastic for him and I’m sure that will massively boost his confidence going into the endurance events.”
Reynolds meanwhile will combine with fellow Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander at Sandown and Mount Panorama.
