Kiwi Supercars driver Matt Payne became the ‘King Of The Mountain’ on Sunday, securing the biggest win of his career at Bathurst 1000.  

The 23-year-old battled through horrible weather conditions, near collisions, and even going off-track, to snatch the title for Penrite Racing alongside partner Garth Tander. 

The Rock Drive’s Jay and Dunc got a chance to speak to the young man yesterday, and it’s safe to say he was still absolutely buzzing.

Payne described the day as “bloody awesome” and was just “lost for words yesterday”. 

“After everything that had happened, how long the race was, and the toll mentally as well. It’s just… fucking cool.” 

With nine laps left, Payne challenged Erebus Motorsport’s Cooper Murray for the lead, but unfortunately, he went too wide and spun off the track. 

The moment was dramatic, and potentially race-ending, and Payne spoke to that experience. 

“I thought, ‘Oh, I’m just going to have to have a crack here. I might not get another opportunity to take the lead.” 

I'm just going to have to have to send it.

As he started to go “a bit sideways”, Payne reckoned he might be able to pull it up, but he “just ran a bit wide”. 

Fortunately for the young driver, Murray and PremiAir’s James Golding had a collision, and Payne slipped back into the lead with five laps to go. 

“We were lucky to catch back up to them… we could still have a chance to fight for the win.”

And that he did.

Golding was given a five-second penalty, and although he actually crossed the finish line first, Payne stayed close enough behind to get the win. 

Many are calling it the best Bathurst race since 2014, which is widely considered the best one of all. It had a red flag with track repairs, ten safety cars, numerous crashes, and a pass in the last lap to crown Chaz Mostert the winner ahead of Jamie Whincup, who ran out of fuel. 

There are many reasons that 2025 Bathurst lived up to that level of hype - it similarly had multiple crashes, failures, and the awful weather conditions made it far more entertaining. 

“There was heaps of fog coming across the top, and each lap it would just get worse and worse and worse,” Payne said. “But the track conditions… they were the hardest of all.”

The weather was constantly changing, and it would get a little bit wetter, and you didn't really know how much grip there was… that was tough.

He described how they were “aquaplanning around a bit” at one point, and how it started to get dangerous, but thankfully, the safety car sussed them out.

Because of the conditions and other technical issues, there was a shit ton going on. 

Last year’s winner, Brodie Kostecki, lost control in two separate incidents. Cam Waters’ looked like he may come out on top until his co-driver crashed into the barrier after a tire change, and both Red Bull’s Broc Feeney and Will Brown crashed out. 

Most heartbreakingly of all, young Kiwi Ryan Wood looked like the emerging leader, until his car broke down in one of the most devastating scenes of the day.  

Dunc asked if, after winning, Payne got the rundown on all that happened on the track outside of his own drama. 

“Not really,” he said. “I’ll go and watch the race back and see everything else that happened.” 

For Payne, in the race, he was “just hoping” that he was going to be able to “go green” until the end because he was beginning to genuinely not be able to see. 

“It was getting a little bit sketchy up there.” 

No wonder there was so much drama. 

The young Aucklander was very proud to have been able to do it for his homeland, and is overwhelmed with the amount of Kiwi support he’s received. 

“It’s great to have that support,” said Payne. I know a lot of people at home were watching, and I just really wanted to do them proud.” 

“It’s bloody cool that I could bring it home for you guys. It's freaking awesome.” 

This marks Payne’s fourth Supercars win of the year, totaling six across his career. 

Co-driver 48-year-old Garth Tander secured his SIXTH Bathurst win this time around, and Payne is very grateful for him.

“He’s bloody good,” said Payne. “He knows a lot about it and knows a lot of good things and knows what not to do.” 

He said they had a “bit of a disaster last year”, which they wanted to make up for. 

“It’s just bloody magic, man.” 

Congrats mate, we are so proud of ya, and always rooting for you.