Allen addresses wildcard speculation

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 15 July 2023

On the same weekend as scoring his maiden Super2 success, Mount Gambier teenage sensation Kai Allen was linked to a Bathurst debut, but made it clear “nothing is concrete”.

It has become clear there could be up to 28 cars on the grid for the 60th anniversary Great Race at Bathurst this October.

In addition to the Supercheap Auto Triple Eight wildcard, Ford squads Blanchard Racing Team and Dick Johnson Racing also have announced ambitions on racing extra cars around Mount Panorama.

The CoolDrive backed squad is currently aiming to complete the build of its second Gen3 Mustang within the next “two to three weeks” and is also awaiting the official sign off from the Supercars Board.

Dick Johnson Racing is also hoping to run an extra car in addition to its two Shell Mustangs driven by Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale.

CEO David Noble confirmed the process is sponsor dependent, which will be made clear within the next fortnight and is also awaiting a signature from the championship’s Board.

Dick Johnson Racing and Blanchard Racing Team could join Triple Eight in fielding a Bathurst wildcard.

Whilst drivers for both Ford wildcards are unconfirmed, rumours from the Townsville paddock suggest Allen is one of the leading candidates for the extra Dick Johnson Racing Mustang.

When asked by AUTO ACTION about the rumours, the recently crowned Super2 round winner said “nothing is in concrete” but admitted the prospect of a Bathurst debut as a teenager would be a dream.

“When they mentioned that to me I was like ‘are you sure you got the right guy?’,” he said.

“It is cool seeing these things, but nothing is concrete yet.

“There have been a few chats about it, but no proper discussions.

Kai Allen celebrates his Townsville Super2 success. Image: Mark Horsburgh

“It would be awesome to see though and I would be pinching myself if I get to do my first ever Bathurst 1000.

“But at this stage it is all media and we will just have to see if something happens.”

Although Allen is currently racing an ex Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore for Eggleston Motorsport, he has cut some laps in a Ford Mustang.

In May last year when he had just two Super3 starts under his belt, Allen got a taste of a Dick Johnson Racing Ford Gen2 Mustang at an evaluation day.

It arrived at the same track, Queensland Raceway where he enjoyed his first laps in a Supercar in October 2021 when he steered Brodie Kostecki’s #99 Boost Mobile Erebus Commodore.

Kai Allen (next to George Commins) with Brodie Kostecki, Will Brown and other youngsters who got a drive of the #99 ZB Commodore in 2021. Image: SE Voice

Back to 2023 and one problem that could stand in Allen’s way is the Supercars Super Licence system.

For a non FIA Gold or Platinum licensed driver to race in the main game as a full-time or co-driver, Supercars requirements state drivers must complete six Super2 rounds.

Allen has just ticked off three Super2 rounds in addition to his full Super3 season last year.

But there is talk a change to award half points to Super3 seasons could occur, which would be enough to get to the six required given the Eggleston Motorsport driver completed six rounds in 2022.

Despite the speculation, Allen made it clear 2023 has been all about cementing himself in Super2.

“Because last year I was not eligible for a Super Licence we have just gone hard this year in making sure we learn as much as I can in Super2,” he said.

“This is very much a learning year and then hopefully we can maybe look at next year doing some co driving stuff etc.

“If it changes we will look at it, but I will be checking my phone every five minutes!”

Dick Johnson Racing is hoping to field three Ford Mustangs in the enduros. Image: Mark Horsburgh

Speaking at the Townsville 500, Noble explained there are still a number of boxes Dick Johnson Racing must tick before its wildcard hits top gear.

“We will know in the next week or two if the commercial team has been able to get the sponsorship in place,” he said.

“We are not going to do it if we can’t do it properly, you have to give everyone a chance to put their best foot forward, or it’s not right.”

The first enduro is not until Sandown in September and there are two sprint rounds before then at Sydney and Tailem Bend.

Image: Ross Gibb Photography

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

Auto Action, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.

PODCAST: The latest episode of the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast is out now!

We’re back to normal after a few weeks on the road and this week we look at Supercars from Townsville and F1 from Silverstone, plus a little more.

Ford has finally won a race in the 2023 #Supercars Championship, but was it more the perfect storm for Anton De Pasquale or was it the parity changes. And what about #SVG, did he leave his heart in Dixie?

Then there is Auto Action’s very own Oscar Piastri and his stunning performance in Silverstone in a car one step behind his teammate in evolution. Yes Max won, but really, who cares anymore? Even he must be bored by now.

Listen on your podcast app of choice or here on the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast.

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