Groves secure rising star Allen

Teenage sensation Kai Allen will complete his journey to the Supercars full-time grid next year, having been snapped up by Grove Racing on a “long-term” deal.

The 19-year-old Mount Gambier based teenager fills the seat that will be vacated by Richie Stanaway at the end of the season.

In addition to two successful Super2 campaigns, Allen will have three Supercars starts under his belt when 2025 rolls around.

He will still fulfil his co-driving commitments with Dick Johnson Racing in the iconic #17 alongside Will Davison at the upcoming enduros having made his debut in the #98 wildcard at Bathurst last year.

Kai Allen leads the Super2 field at the Bathurst opener. Image: Peter Norton

DJR’S holding deal with Allen expired at the end of July and Grove Racing has pounced on the youngest ever Super2 champion.

With the driver currently on track to be the first to take back to back Super2 titles joining two-time winner Matt Payne, 22, Grove Racing will have the youngest driver line up in 18 years since 2007 when Perkins Engineering had rookies Shane Price and Jack Perkins.

However, it is loaded with potential and one the Ford squad could build around for a future where it hopes to challenge for championships.

Kai Allen all smiles during his Supercars debut. Image: Mark Horsburgh

Fittingly Allen will race the #26, which he has used throughout his career from winning national kart titles from 2016-2018 to his Toyota 86, Super3 and Super2 debuts and he can’t quite comprehend his dream becoming a reality.

“It’s pretty surreal! I’ve been racing since I was 8 years old, maybe even younger, so I’m super grateful to finally be in a position that I’ve worked towards my whole life,” he said. 

“It still hasn’t sunk in, but I’m sure come Round 1 next year that will all change.

“I can’t thank Stephen and Brenton enough for the opportunity. 

Kai Allen will join a Grove Racing squad that is building momentum. Image: Mark Horsburgh

“I feel like I’m joining a team that’s really on the way up and there’s some really great personnel on the team with so much experience. David Cauchi, Shippy (Grant McPherson), Garth (Tander), who are all massive names in this sport.

“Ultimately, I’m here to learn as much as possible. 

“Matt’s a really talented driver so I’ll be doing my best to keep the team up the front and absorb as much as possible from him.

“Driving car #26 is pretty surreal too! It’s a number that I’ve raced with since karting, so I guess it’s meant to be!”

A young Kai Allen with another karting trophy.

Allen made the jump from karts to cars in 2021 on the streets of Townsville in the Toyota 86 Series and despite being sick, made an immediate impression finishing third.

After a handful of Toyota rounds, he stepped up to Super3 with Eggleston Motorsport in 2022 and went on a record-breaking rampage.

Kai Allen on Toyota 86 debut in Townsville in 2021. Image: SE Voice

Allen scored the most number of poles ever in a single season and took six wins, but a costly mistake at Adelaide’s infamous Turn 8 meant he fell second best to Brad Vaughan in a thrilling title fight.

He stepped up to Super2 last year and took the elevation like a duck to water.

Kai Allen at Townsville in his Super3 season. Image: SE Voice

Another milestone arrived on the streets of Townsville, this time being his first Super2 win in just his fifth race.

The teenager then showed an impressive amount of maturity to finish the final 10 races in the top five, and this consistency pushed him to a thrilling rookie championship success, six points ahead of Zak Best.

Kai Allen leads Zak Best through the hairpin on his way to a maiden Super2 title. image: Mark Horsburgh

During that same year Allen made his Supercars debut at the Bathurst 1000 in a DJR Wildcard with Simona de Silverstro and finished 20th.

Boosted by that experience, the teenager has been even more relentless in 2024 with the #1 on the door, winning four of the first six Super2 races of the year to be a clear championship leader.

Although a dream Supercars drive is secured, Allen remains determined to achieve history and go back to back in Super2.

Kai Allen with his 2024 Eggleston Motorsport Commodore.

“My goal for the rest of this year is to tick Super 2 off. That’s really important,” Allen said.

“It will also be valuable to do Sandown and Bathurst in the Gen 3 car, just so I can be as comfortable as possible with that style of car before I join the team.”

With sisters Niah and Sienna having already reached Super Netball, Kai’s full-time Supercars drive means all three Allen siblings have reached the highest domestic championships of their respective sports.

2025 Supercars grid

What we know

2 Ryan Wood Walkinshaw Andretti United

6 Cameron Waters Tickford Racing

7 James Courtney Blanchard Racing Team

8 Andre Heimgartner Brad Jones Racing

9 Jack Le Brocq Erebus Motorsport

11 Anton De Pasquale Dick Johnson Racing

17 Will Davison Dick Johnson Racing

19 Matthew Payne Grove Racing

20 David Reynolds Team 18

25 Chaz Mostert Walkinshaw Andretti United

26 Kai Allen Grove Racing

31 James Golding PremiAir Racing

34 Nick Percat Matt Stone Racing

35 Cameron Hill Matt Stone Racing

55 Thomas Randle Tickford Racing

87 Will Brown Triple Eight Race Engineering

88 Broc Feeney Triple Eight Race Engineering

Our Best Guess

3 Aaron Love Blanchard Racing Team

4 Jaxon Evans Brad Jones Racing

14 Bryce Fullwood Brad Jones Racing

18 Mark Winterbottom Team 18

23 Brodie Kostecki PremiAir Racing

96 Macauley Jones Brad Jones Racing

99 Jarrod Hughes Erebus Motorsport

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