History on Allen's side after opening round sweep

Dunlop Series

14 May 2024

Kai Allen opened the Dunlop Series with a perfect performance in Bathurst, with the reigning champion winning both races

2 mins by James Pavey

Kai Allen

Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint

Perth

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Kai Allen opened 2024 with opening round sweep
Allen became sixth driver to open new year with two-from-two
Opening round sweep have resulted in four title wins

Kai Allen opened the Dunlop Series with a perfect performance in Bathurst, with the reigning champion winning both races.

The Eggleston Motorsport driver will resume his campaign at this weekend's Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint with 300 points already in the bank, and with a 42-point lead over closest rival Aaron Cameron.

Allen, 18, became the sixth driver to sweep the opening round of a new season, and the first in 12 years.

History is on Allen's side, with drivers going on to win the title four times following an opening-round sweep. However, it hasn't happened since 2010, when Steve Owen did it for a second time in three years.

Dean Canto's march to the 2005 title began with a two-from-two performance in Adelaide, before Adam Macrow repeated the feat in 2006.

Michael Caruso went two-from-two in 2007, but agonisingly missed out on the title to Tony D'Alberto by five points. D'Alberto, who finished third or higher in 11 of the first 12 races, won two races to Caruso's six.

On-again off-again main game stalwart Owen swept the opening round in 2008 and 2010, and converted to title success on both occasions.

Chaz Mostert was the most recent driver to open the season with 300 points after sweeping the Adelaide round in 2012. Mostert would win twice more, but dual 50-point penalties for incidents consigned him to third overall behind future rivals Scott McLaughlin and Scott Pye. The penalties proved costly, with Mostert 96 points behind McLaughlin.

Some drivers have won two races at a three-race weekend, with Simon Wills (2001) and Mark Winterbottom (2003) beginning their title-winning campaigns with two wins from three starts at Wakefield Park.

Paul Dumbrell won two from three in 2017 and 2018, Bryce Fullwood in 2019, and Brodie Kostecki in 2020.

Track action at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint will commence on Friday May 17. Tickets for the event are on sale now. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.

Season-opening sweeps in Super2 (Two races)