Mount Gambier teen racing sensation Kai Allen is set to make history, as the Shell V-Power Racing Team on Tuesday announced the team’s first-ever wildcard entry into the Repco Bathurst 1000 – giving Allen his Supercars debut.
The young driver, currently competing in the Dunlop Super2 Series, will join one of the most successful teams in Supercars’ history to tackle the most iconic event in the Australian Motorsport landscape.
The third Shell V-Power Ford Mustang GT will be driven by experienced Supercars and five-time Bathurst driver Simona De Silvestro and rising star Allen.
Swiss-born racer De Silvestro, the first full-time female driver in the Supercars Championship in 2017, is a former IndyCar driver and current Porsche Factory driver.
Allen shared his excitement to be joining one of Australia’s longest-standing and well-respected motorsport teams.
“I’m so proud and excited to be joining DJR as part of their first Bathurst wildcard, representing the Shell V-Power brand,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to working with such a knowledgeable and well-respected team, who have seen so much success over the years.
“Co-driving with Simona will no doubt be a highlight of the year and I cannot wait to learn from her, as she is such an experienced driver.”
Dick Johnson Racing chief executive David Noble said an opportunity presented itself for Dick Johnson Racing to field a wildcard entry, after a change in accreditation from Supercars Commission on driver licensing, which came with great support and appetite from the team’s corporate partners.
“The pairing of experience and youth provides a great platform for our wildcard entry to be competitive at Mount Panorama this year,” he said.
“This wildcard entry has been a long time coming for DJR and we are extremely excited about it. To have the enthusiasm and talent of Kai mixed with the experience of Simona is the perfect combination.
“Of course, this wildcard entry would not be possible without the support of our wonderful long-standing partners Viva Energy Australia (Shell Licensee), WM Waste, Rheem & Pivotel, thank you.
“As an organisation, we are driven to succeed and aim to prepare and deliver the car to a competitive level for Bathurst.”
De Silvestro shared her delight to be returning to Supercars.
“I am thrilled to race back at the iconic track in Bathurst and want to thank DJR and Shell V-Power for this amazing opportunity,” she said.
“Four years has been too long but who would have thought in 2019 that I would not be able to travel to Australia for such a long time.
“I am looking forward to teaming up with young talent Kai and I am sure we will make a great team.
“Of course, I also want to thank Harvey Norman and Katie Page who have been supporting me all my career in Australia.
“I cannot wait to be back in Australia in September to start testing the new Gen3 car.”
Viva Energy’s General Manager – Customer and Marketing Andrew Egan said Viva Energy was delighted to be supporting two such talented drivers at Bathurst this year.
“It is such a huge motorsport event, and we are thrilled to have Kai and Simona behind the wheel of the third Shell V-Power Mustang carrying the number 98,” he said.
“The racing number 98 pays homage to our 98 octane premium unleaded fuel, Shell V-Power Unleaded 98.
“It is also great to be able to continue our support of the Dick Johnson Racing team – we have been part of their journey since 1967.”
Team Principal Ben Croke said in conjunction with naming rights partner Shell V-Power, WM Waste, Rheem and Pivotel, the No.98 Ford Mustang will don a unique, striking version of the Shell V-Power colours the fans have come to know and love.
A full livery reveal is planned closer to the Repco Bathurst 1000.
“The No.98 Shell V-Power Mustang will be a wonderful support for our two main cars in the great race with veteran experience combined with youthful enthusiasm behind the wheel, supported by Dick Johnson Racing resources to run and engineer the car,” Croke said.
“The crew working on the wildcard entry will be a combination of seasoned campaigners led by the vastly experienced Mikey Flynn at the helm, and young talent coming through the mechanical and engineering ranks at DJR.
“Kai Allen is a young talent we have had an eye on for over a year now. He drove the Mustang last year on an evaluation day and I was impressed with his speed, maturity, and work ethic.
“Simona brings a wealth of experience to the team. She will be a fantastic mentor for Kai through his first Repco Bathurst 1000, as she continues to be an inspiration for aspiring female drivers.”
