Kai Allen not afraid of Brodie Kostecki return of serve
Mustang stars clashed in Perth opener, Kostecki wiped out
Allen also responds to tyre pressure findings, subsequent appeal
Kai Allen isn't afraid of any potential on-track retribution following his controversial clash with Brodie Kostecki in the opening race at Perth.
After Kostecki was left stranded in the Wanneroo sand following the heated battle, the 2023 Super2 champion declared the Dick Johnson Racing star was driving "dumb," with Kostecki later responding and saying he found the comments "pretty funny."
No penalties were awarded over the incident, and further dramas for Kostecki on Sunday leave the pair separated by just 35 points in the battle for fourth in the points standings, and fourth seed for the Finals Series.
The pair notably battled for the victory in the first two races in Christchurch, both drivers nailing a win apiece, however Perth was the first major flashpoint in a relationship that begun with a young Allen being mentored by Kostecki at the Norwell Motorplex.
When asked on the Drivers Only podcast whether or not he expects Kostecki to return serve as the season heats up, Allen responded: "I don't know with Brodie, he's very hard to read.
"Even when I came out of the pits, I was in front of him, and he was just into my rear bar, so I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"First lap on cold tyres, I understand that he wanted to get past, and there was a lot of hitting going on.
"I understand how Brodie races, he's hard, but if he has a go at me then I'm sure the stewards will work that out. At the end of the day I'm not fussed, I'll just go racing now."
Allen also provided comment for the first time on the appeal process that sees his storming to drive to fifth on the Sunday finale come into question.
Two of the #26 Ford's tyres dipped below the minimum 16psi tyre pressure requirement at the start of the final race, and though Motorsport Australia officials accepted there was a breach, elected not to penalise due to extenuating circumstances. Supercars has taken that decision to the Supercars National Court of Appeal.
"I've got no idea, it's all up to the team. I've never touched a tyre gauge in my life, so I've got no idea how that works, I wasn't tuning them in the race," said Allen of the findings and subsequent appeal.
"It's very hard, obviously the team are working through that. Something's obviously happened and triggered it, and it's a bit disappointing that there was a decision made and they're going back on it.
"I've got no idea what's happening. Obviously we're here in Adelaide [for the bp Adelaide Grand Final launch], it's only a couple days after and it all happened [on August 5].
"I'll either be very happy or very disappointed, but we'll find out. At the same time it's so hard, and we're chasing such fine margins, and everyone will be pushing the limits with everything.
"At the same time, I don't know, I can't give you an answer. I'll let the boys do their thing. At the end of the day, it is what it is, it'll be what it'll be."
Allen is fifth in the standings, but could drop behind Anton De Pasquale into sixth subject to the appeal. The Supercars season continues in Ipswich from August 21-23.
