Brodie Kostecki and Ryan Wood both secured pole positions in Race 11 and 12 Qualifying at the 2026 ITM Christchurch Super 440. Matt Payne snagged a pair of front rows for both races, while Aaron Cameron qualified third for Race 11.
So far at Christchurch…
Matt Payne claimed a historic pole position in Christchurch, edging out a charging Brodie Kostecki. The 2025 Jason Richards Memorial Trophy winner has placed himself in prime position to jump up the standings in Race 10. Behind them, it was Ryan Wood who was qualified on the second row, ahead of Penriteās Kai Allen.
While in Race 10, Kai Allen has picked up his maiden Supercars victory. In one of the closest finishes of the season, Brodie Kostecki had to settle for second, while Ryan Wood claimed third. With the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy and the Championship Standings closer than ever, Allen was able to shoot up the standings.
Payne and Kostecki trade times in Qualifying
The pace was there as the drivers settled into the Ruapuna Raceway. After the first round of qualifying laps, it was Payne who was once again at the top of the timesheets. Will Brown and James Golding also ended the first runs at the top, while Kostecki had some work to do after sitting outside the top 10.
After a short stop in the pit lane, it was Payne who bettered himself. Behind him, Allen and Feeney slotted into the top as the times started to tumble. With the checkered flag waving, it was Chaz Mostert who was the first to miss out.
With all the drivers going slower through there second laps, it was Brown and Andre Heimgartner who snuck into the top 10. Behind them, it was Cam Waters and Cameron Hill who missed out in 11th and 12th respectively.
Kostecki on top in Race 11 Qualifying
With the second half of the field set, Supercars was back on track for the second half of Race 11 Qualifying. Penrite’s Allen and Payne were quickest through their first runs. Moments later, it was Ryan Wood who stormed to the top of the timesheet. As the only Chevrolet in the field, Jayden Ojeda was quick around Christchurch, slotting himself into third.
Going back to back around Ruapuna, Wood extended his lead to over one tenth, picking up two purple sectors. After having the track to himself, Heimgartner slotted himself into third ahead of Ojeda. Elsewhere on track, it was Kostecki who was out on track for the first time this session. With less than a minute left in the session, Feeney, Allen and Kostecki all jump to the top of the timesheet.
Even though it was a slow start to the weekend for Aaron Cameron, the BRT driver jumped to the front row, qualifying two tenths behind Kostecki. Payne continued his top form around Christchurch, slotting behind Kostecki for second in Race 11 Qualifying.
Wood sets an early pace
The drivers were back on track for Race 12 Qualifying at Christchurch, however, now they were back to the Superset tyre. With the tyre compound an unknown around Christchurch, it was Wood who was quickest earliest. Payne and Anton De Pasquale followed behind, slotting into second and third after the opening runs.
Jack Le Brocq and Ojeda joined De Pasquale on the Chevrolet charge, while Rylan Gray slotted into eleventh after the first rounds. With the cars back in the pits and the final changes being made before this afternoon’s races, Brown who was out of position in 15th. However, the cars were soon back on track and it was Payne who went second overall. Feeney jumped up to second, while Allen jumped up to fifth. With the supersoft tyres only good for one flying lap, it was Mostert who once again missed out on the top ten. Wood has placed himself in prime position for the second round of qualifying after sitting out of the second runs and saving his tyres.
Wood secures Race 12 Pole.
With the pit lane open once again, there were 12 minutes to decide the Race 12 pole sitter. While Wood was the only car on fresh tyres, it was Payne who topped the timesheet after the first laps. Kostecki struggled with the supersoft, the Race 11 pole sitter only managing seventh after the opening laps.
It wasn’t long until the top ten pulled into the pits ahead of the second flying laps. Once back on track, it was Wood whose tyre gamble paid off. The New Zealander charged over three tenths ahead of the field, with 30 seconds left in Qualifying. Payne only managed second, while Kostecki jumped up to third as the checkered flag flew. De Pasquale was the quickest Chevrolet in Ruapuna managing fifth. Wood secured his second pole position of the season, placing Toyota in prime position for another Supercars victory.
All eyes will be on this afternoon for Races 11 and 12. While on Sunday, qualifying will occur in the morning, followed by the Top Ten Shootout and Race 13 of the Supercars Championship.
