Allen's confidence boost after DJR rebound
Kai Allen will race with Will Davison in 2024 enduros
DJR returned to form in New Zealand with three podiums
Anton De Pasquale won first round since Darwin 2022
The Shell V-Power Racing Team’s return to form in New Zealand has teenage rising star Kai Allen itching to get into this year’s endurance races.
The 2023 Super2 champion will share the #17 Ford with Will Davison at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000 later in the season.
Allen, who is 23 years Davison’s junior, will make his second Great Race start following his debut in a Dick Johnson Racing wildcard with Simona De Silvestro last year.
Davison and Allen could prove a dark horse at both events should the Ford team continue its positive trajectory following a breakout weekend in New Zealand.
Davison and Anton De Pasquale — who will race with Tony D’Alberto for a fourth season in the enduros — scored DJR’s first double podium of the Gen3 era in the first Taupō race.
De Pasquale finished third on Sunday to clinch the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, topping the round points for the first time since Darwin 2022.
Watching from afar was Allen, who is pumped to get his first starts alongside a Supercars regular in two-time Bathurst winner Davison.
“It was great to see them on the pace in New Zealand,” Allen told Supercars.com.
"I know the team's working super hard behind the scenes, and they've got two very good guys in Anton and Will.
“Even last year, Anton got third at Bathurst. They’ve got some good speed, and I'm sure they're going to keep working hard. They've got a lot of really good engineers.
“I can’t wait to join the team and see how we can go come Sandown and Bathurst.”
Allen joined the team this week, completing a seat fit in Davison’s #17 Ford. The Mount Gambier driver, who will resume his Super2 title defence in Perth next weekend, is set to test with the team later this month.
The teen’s Perth round will be his first in his Eggleston Commodore since the Bathurst 500 in February, with Allen purchasing a shifter kart in the weeks after the event to stay sharp.
“I’m looking forward to jumping in the #17 Shell V-Power Mustang. The enduros are gonna come around pretty quick,” Allen told Supercars.com.
“I’m doing a seat fit in Will's car, making sure we're all comfortable and ready to go.
"I’m really excited to see what I can learn off Will — he’s a very experienced guy, and super nice, nice guy as well.
“I’m keen to head down to QR, do a couple laps, go through a few things, and get in preparation for Bathurst later on in the year.”
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.
