How Cauchi has rejuvenated Grove Racing

A "very hands-on" approach has been the catalyst for David Cauchi’s rejuvenation of Grove Racing.

Cauchi shifted from Triple Eight to Grove Racing in the off-season, and is the squad’s new team principal.

The veteran engineer left behind over a decade’s worth of time with Triple Eight to join the Grove team.

In nine races across three rounds under Cauchi’s watch, Grove Racing has podiumed in four races.

Last year, the team recorded a podium result in just two races.

The form hit its stride at Albert Park, with David Reynolds scoring three podiums and a pole.

It came after he raced to third in Tasmania last month.

Pole for Reynolds at Albert Park

The team also secured its first double-podium in nearly four years when recruit Lee Holdsworth joined Reynolds on the Race 7 podium.

Cauchi has been key to it all, despite his earlier-than-expected presence raising eyebrows in pit lane.

For Cauchi himself, it has been a product of an intense involvement in the team, although he reiterated existing team members have lifted.

“I’ve tried to bring in some of my knowledge that I’ve learnt over the years,” Cauchi told Supercars.com.

“In terms of operation of the business… but fundamentally, it’s the same people that were here last year.

“Everyone’s stepped into another gear, we’re charging on and the future’s looking very bright.

“I’m a very hands-on team principal, I’m not there to stand around and update my Instagram.

Reynolds scored three podiums

“I’m loving it, it’s really exciting for me to be part of this process of building a team with new ownership.

“There’s also a deep history, but it’s been an awesome process so far.”

The 2022 season is the first for the Braeside operation under sole Grove ownership.

The Kelly family ran the team between 2009 and 2020, before the Groves joined for 2021.

Under Cauchi and the Groves, the team has secured Holdsworth, full Penrite backing and a Gen3 spearhead.

The team is also readying to update its facility ahead of Gen3 and 2023.

However, Cauchi said a crucial motivation was finding a direction with the cars this season, which has already paid dividends.

“We’ve got a right direction with the car,” he explained.

“The team’s working well, communication, all the crew is working well together and getting along.

“All those little details are falling into place for us. It’s awesome to be part of it, and it’s really exciting for me.

“We’ve got some pretty big plans; we’re going to update this facility and bring it into 2022.

“Obviously Gen3’s coming, so we’re pushing very hard to make sure that program is as good as it can be and that we hit the ground running next year.

“It’s keeping me very busy, but luckily I’ve got a good team behind me.”

Reynolds loomed to seal overall Albert Park honours before a Race 9 DNF scuppered his efforts.

Regardless, four podiums in five starts at two different circuits proved the team has made gains relative to 2021.

"It’s a great bunch of guys and girls here'

For Cauchi, the next step is to ensure the team retains its form, instead of suffering a second-half season slump like it did last year.

“You always want it and you think you can do it,” Cauchi said of the team’s early season success.

“Until you actually do it, you don’t believe it. It’s sort of come quicker than maybe we all thought.

“But I’m not surprised, it’s a great bunch of guys and girls here, we’ve got some really awesome drivers, engineers.

“The pit stop crew has been working hard and training to get the stops nice and sharp.

“Slowly, the bits of the puzzle are coming together, it’s great to have that success earlier than we expected.

“It was an awesome weekend for the team; it’s been really good to see everybody get rewarded for all their hard work.

“I’m rapt for everybody, it’s been a massive team effort. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

Reynolds and Holdsworth are in the standings heading to Perth later this month.