Kai Allen apologetic over collision with Chaz Mostert
Allen loses podium in Ipswich opener after being penalised
Penrite racer to start fifth for Saturday's second race
Kai Allen has expressed remorse to Chaz Mostert and Penrite Racing after he "threw away a podium" with a penalty in the Ipswich opener.
Allen crossed the line third in Saturday's first race at Queensland Raceway, but was reclassified fifth behind both Red Bull Ampol Fords courtesy of a five-second penalty.
After the stops, Mostert held the effective lead over Allen, who attacked the reigning champion on lap 21. Allen got down the inside through Turns 4 and 5, but Mostert ended up off the road.
Mostert fell behind Allen and eventual winner Brodie Kostecki, and came home sixth. An ailing Mostert finishing over 11 seconds behind Allen, having stopped earliest of the contenders on lap 8.
According to the Motorsport Australia stewards report, Allen "failed to leave room" for Mostert.
The report reads: "The Stewards reviewed broadcast vision in conjunction with the DSA. The vision showed Car 26 failed to leave room for Car 1 at the exit of Turn 5 on Lap 21, forcing Car 1 off track and as a consequence of the collision Car 1 lost position to Car 17. The Stewards consider this driving conduct amounts to as breach of the Rules and impose a penalty consistent with previous breaches of similar nature."
Supercars champions James Courtney and Mark Winterbottom both suggested on the broadcast that Allen was hard done by. Speaking post-race, Allen said: "A bit unfortunate, but that's racing.
"Obviously first thing, sorry Mozzie, I got a bit aggressive there, but at the same time felt like I had a really good move at [Turn] 3. Car was super fast.
"We did the two tyres, and from my side I was just so locked in to try and build a gap because I knew the T8 boys were coming out on four tyres, or most likely would.
"I think it was obviously very marginal and we didn't get away with that one, so I'll note that down. The car was super fast and a bit unfortunate to throw a podium away, but sometimes that's racing and it's no one else's fault but mine."
When asked if he knows where the limit is, Allen replied: "Yeah, for sure. For me, I always never go to the outside because I know that I'm gonna get pushed off, and I thought it was interesting and obviously there's a lot of grip on the outside of Turn 4.
"I knew that he was gonna get the advantage because I saw him and Will [Brown] do the same thing on, I think it was lap 1. Will actually did the exact same as me. He just didn't quite get the run.
"Obviously he ran off into the dirt. I think that part wasn't so bad. It was more the initial part when I pushed him onto the kerb.
"You're out there racing for sheep stations. We're all doing the same lap times, and as soon as you get an opportunity it's like a shark when it smells blood. So, yeah, unfortunate.
"Sorry to the team, we threw a podium away."
Allen, who sits fifth overall, will launch from fifth for Saturday's second race, which starts at 4:15pm local time.
