Allen named in tweaked DJR enduro line-up
Kai Allen to race with two-time Bathurst winner Will Davison
Super2 champ Allen, 18, is 23 years Davison's junior
Tony D'Alberto returns alongside Anton De Pasquale
Teenage star Kai Allen has been named in a tweaked Shell V-Power Racing Team enduro line-up, with the Super2 champion to drive the famous #17 Ford.
Allen, 18, will be paired with two-time Bathurst winner Will Davison, with Tony D'Alberto returning alongside Anton De Pasquale in the #11 entry.
Last year's Super2 champion, Allen made his Great Race with the team last October in a wildcard entry alongside Simona De Silvestro. He will also defend his Super2 title in 2024 with Eggleston Motorsport.
The promotion of Allen coincides with the departure of Alex Davison, who paired with brother Will between 2021 and 2023 at the famous Ford team.
Remarkably, Will's Bathurst debut in 2004 came a year before Allen was born.
De Pasquale and D'Alberto have proven a strong pairing since they first linked up in 2021, with the duo coming home third in last year's Repco Bathurst 1000.
Dick Johnson Racing CEO David Noble was excited to announce the team's full enduro line-up, with the team the first to formally announced both pairings.
Erebus Motorsport had already announced David Russell, while Todd Hazelwood was also set to be confirmed at the reigning champions, only to be parachuted into the team for the Thrifty Bathurst 500 in the place of Brodie Kostecki.
Garth Tander (Penrite Racing), Scott Pye (Triple Eight), Michael Caruso (Team 18) and Jack Perkins (Blanchard Racing Team) have also been announced for the 2024 enduro season, which kicks off at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 20-22.
We are delighted to have Tony and Kai join us for the 2024 season," Noble said.
"Tony has been a part of the Shell V-Power Racing Team family for nine years now. He and Anton are a great pairing who work exceptionally well together, their podium finish at Bathurst last year reflects that. Their proven track record and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with our team's values.
"Bringing Kai into the fold with Will combines youthful enthusiasm with veteran knowledge and experience. I have no doubt that these two will work together to become a force on the track.
"As a team, we’re really excited to see what both of these pairings will achieve together in the 2024 season."
De Pasquale and Davison will commence their 2024 campaigns at the Thrifty Bathurst 500 on February 23-25, with DJR to test its Mustangs at Queensland Raceway on February 7.
