Allen poised to reach new heights after successful new car shakedown

Penrite Racing rising star Kai Allen has enjoyed a breakout start to his 2026 campaign, headlined by a brilliant maiden race win in Christchurch.

However, the second half of the season promises even more, following a successful shakedown of a brand new Penrite Racing chassis ahead of the betr Darwin Triple Crown.

Allen shook down chassis GR-04 at Winton on Thursday, and completed his full allotment of 60km despite arriving to a damp circuit.

Save for ergonomic changes, the day ran largely trouble free according to the 20-year-old, who will enter Darwin fifth in points.

"There were a few little teething issues, just ergonomic things, but it was great to get back out on track even if it was just 60km," Allen told Supercars.com.

"I'm very particular about the way things are in the car, so it was just things like the helmet hose and that sort of thing, but they're all sorted now.

"I helped the boys back at the shop with setup changes getting the car prepared for Darwin, I was on the tools. A little bit of extra bonding time for me with the new car."

For the first time in his blossoming career, Allen will be behind the wheel of a new car, having driven GR-03 since making his debut as a substitute for a concussed Richie Stanaway at the 2024 Adelaide 500.

Rebuilt after Stanaway's big hit with the infamous Turn 8 wall that same weekend, GR-03 has carried Allen from rookie to race-winning threat in just 18 months.

However, he admitted that his old chassis was starting to feel it's age. It now serves as a spare car and a pit stop practice car at the team's Melbourne base.

"It's nice to jump into a brand-new car for the first time, it still had that new car smell.

"Every car is that little bit different and responds to things a little bit differently. My old car was still fast, but it was definitely starting to get a little bit older.

"The boys have done an amazing job putting the car together, I think it was a cool moment for all of them to get it out on track yesterday."

As has become something of a tradition in Supercars circles, the new chassis was christened with a new name, the new chassis being named "Rocco."

When asked if there was a backstory to the name, Allen revealed: "I like the name Rocky as it's a bit of a fighting name, but didn't want it to be the same as what everyone else does.

Allen was able to claim a podium in his final start in GR-03, his fourth in the last seven races, but Tasmania wasn't all smooth sailing for Allen and Penrite Racing.

Allen only qualified 22nd and 17th for the first two races, a tyre gamble and a mistake leading to a crash masking his true speed. Seventh in the Sunday Shootout, the #26 charged forward to third.

"It was good that we were able to work ourselves up to the front in Tassie by the end of the weekend, hopefully we can continue that momentum into Darwin.

"We want to be right up the front all weekend, and we know we can be, especially after last year in Darwin."

Allen's first two career podiums came at Hidden Valley 12 months ago, and he is eyeing off adding to his trophy collection at the betr Darwin Triple Crown from June 19-21.