Allen opens up on first meeting with Penrite Racing

Kai Allen has opened up on the career crossroads that saw the then-teenager take a leap of faith to join Penrite Racing for his first full-time assault on the Repco Supercars Championship.

Allen was on a development deal with Dick Johnson Racing, which saw the 2023 Super2 champion make a Bathurst debut in a wildcard Shell V-Power Mustang that same year, before graduating a co-driver role with Will Davison last year.

However, once his option had expired, Stephen and Brenton Grove were quick to pounce on Allen's services after a dominant start to what was an ultimately unsuccessful Super2 title defence.

History proves that it was an inspired call by the Groves, with Allen now one of seven drivers set to contest the Semi Final at the upcoming Penrite Oil Sandown 500, off the back of five podiums and a stunning mid-season run of form.

Dick Johnson Racing also decided to pivot their driver strategy to youth little more than 12 months after losing Allen, signing Tickford junior and current Super2 Series leader Rylan Gray to replace Will Davison in 2026 and beyond.

However, despite Penrite Racing and Kiwi young gun Matt Payne both being on the rise throughout 2024, it didn't seem an obvious choice for Allen to complete the youngest full-time Supercars driver pairing since 2007.

However, the 20-year-old revealed that even from the earliest meetings it was clear that the ambition and drive within the Penrite camp was going to take them further forward.

"The first meeting I had with Stephen and Brenton was a tick for me," Allen told SEN's The Driver's Seat.

"They're very, very successful in business running their own hire company and many, many companies, I've lost count of how many they've got, they're very busy men.

"Just the passion that they have for the sport, the passion that they have for young drivers and also the effort and the work, and the sacrifices they're willing to make to be the best.

"A lot of people say they want to be the best, they want to win, they want to do this, they want to do that, but they don't actually do what it takes."

In particular, Allen highlighted the prowess of both Stephen and Brenton Grove within GT and one-make Porsche racing circles as a key contributor to the rapport struck this season.

The pair made their debut in the famed Le Mans 24 Hour earlier this year, and have won the Bathurst 12 Hour together several times in their class.

"I think Brenton and Steve, obviously being as successful as they are, but also the effort they put into their own driving and understand what it takes to be a very good driver," Allen said.

"To have them as not only team owners, but they're also like mentors. They're always at the track now, and they're always pushing us and pushing the whole team.

"I got a phone call yesterday from Brenton congratulating me on the weekend and talking about the next round and all that stuff.

"We've got this really strong bond between us, which I don't think a lot of drivers have with their bosses, there's probably a bit of friction where we're just like a big happy family in Penrite and Grove Racing."

Allen will enter the Semi Final 21 points below the cut-line. He made up a 27-point deficit cut-line with a brilliant podium in the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 opener, before backing it up with seventh in the finale.

The Mount Gambier product is eyeing off a home ground advantage at the bp Adelaide Grand Final, stating that there remains no pressure or expectations amid the highly fancied favourites around him.

"I've still got a lot of work to do, I'm still learning, it's a massive challenge. It's a very competitive sport, I'm pushing hard, but I'd love to get that race win by the end of the year," Allen said.

"If I can fight in the championship fight and come down to Adelaide in the top four, I'd be absolutely pumped, but then I also think I have nothing to lose and can lay it on the line and make it exciting for the fans.

"I think I'm in the best place, and I'll be here for a very long time at Penrite and Grove Racing, so I'm pumped to see where the future takes not only myself, but also the team, because I feel like we're on a very good trajectory and we're going towards the top.

"It's going to still take a lot of work, but I'm sure we've got all the people and the right attitude to go and do it."

Both Allen and Payne will contest the Semi Final at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 from November 14-16. Tickets are on sale now.