Grove Racing secures Allen on long-term deal

Grove Raving has secured the services of rising star Kai Allen, signing the reigning Super2 Series champion to a long-term deal.

Allen will join fellow young gun Matt Payne in the Ford team in 2025, replacing Richie Stanaway who will depart after a single season at Grove Racing. Payne-Allen will be the youngest full-time combination in Supercars since Jack Perkins and Shane Price at Perkins Engineering in 2007.

“It’s pretty surreal, I’ve been racing since I was eight years old, maybe even younger, so I’m super grateful to finally be in a position that I’ve worked towards my whole life,” said Allen.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, but I’m sure come round one next year that will all change.

“I can’t thank [team owners] Stephen and Brenton [Grove] enough for the opportunity. I feel like I’m joining a team that’s really on the way up and there’s some really great personnel on the team with so much experience. David Cauchi, Shippy [Grant McPherson], Garth [Tander], who are all massive names in this sport.”

Allen looked set to join Dick Johnson Racing, having driven for the Ford team in a wildcard entry at Bathurst in 2023 and promoted into its main car alongside Will Davison for the endurance events in 2024. However, an option for his services lapsed at the end of June, paving the way for the deal with Grove Racing.

“My goal for the rest of this year is to tick Super2 off. That’s really important,” said Allen.

“It will also be valuable to do Sandown and Bathurst in the Gen3 car, just so I can be as comfortable as possible with that style of car before I join the team.

“Ultimately, I’m here to learn as much as possible. Matt’s a really talented driver so I’ll be doing my best to keep the team up the front and absorb as much as possible from him.”