Kelly Racing announces new ownership, name

Kelly Racing will enter the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship with a new name and new ownership following fresh investment into the team.

The Grove Group has become a major shareholder of the Kelly outfit, with the team to be renamed Kelly Grove Racing.

The Braeside team, which entered the championship in 2009, welcomes the family-owned Grove Group, which is spearheaded by Stephen Grove and son Brenton.

Stephen and Brenton Grove will play an active role in the team and will attend all race events alongside team principal and co-owner Todd Kelly.

The Grove Group runs a diversified portfolio of businesses, from manufacturing to hire, private investment to property development, and hospitality.

It's another key development for Kelly Racing, which downscaled to two Ford Mustangs in 2020 after 11 seasons running a four-car operation.

Between 2009 and 2012, Kelly Racing ran four Holden Commodores before embarking on a factory Nissan programme amid the Car of the Future regulations.

Like the Kellys, the Grove family has strong ties to motorsport, with Grove Racing formed in 2011.

Kelly was delighted to welcome the Groves into the Supercars fold.

"To put ourselves on a level playing field it was extremely important to have a partner come into the team who is like-minded and as passionate about racing as we are, and fortunately we’ve been able to find that partner in Stephen Grove,” he said.

"The Grove Group, like most of our partners, is an extremely successful Australian-owned business which uses almost entirely Australian-made products which is important to Rick and myself.

"The Grove Group also has a vast amount of experience in motorsport with their Porsche and GT programs which will be a huge asset to the team.”

Kelly Grove Racing will make its competitive debut at the Mt Panorama 500 across February 26-28.