Why Allen isn't changing mindset after perfect start
Dunlop Series
07 May
Kai Allen won both races at Bathurst season opener
Eggleston teen 42 points ahead of Aaron Cameron
Allen finished 19th and fourth in 2023 Perth races
Points leader Kai Allen won’t change his mindset in Perth as he resumes his Super2 title defence following a perfect round in Bathurst.
The Dunlop Series will roar back into life at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint on May 17-19, after the season began in February.
Eggleston Motorsport driver Allen was the hunter in 2023, but is now the hunted in 2024 following his two-from-two weekend in Bathurst, having opted to run the champion's #1.
The 18-year-old won both races at the season-opener at Mount Panorama, and is 42 points ahead of closest rival Aaron Cameron, who finished second and fourth in the two races.
Allen's title bid nearly unravelled in Perth last year when, after qualifying down the order, was tipped into a spin by teammate Cooper Murray in the opener, finishing 19th.
Come next weekend, Allen will stick to what he knows: make sure the car is fast, and get the job done.
“It's a very important round, and my mindset hasn't changed,” Allen told Supercars.com.
“I want to be the fastest car there, which is super hard, with Super2 being so competitive. But, if you're up the front, you can stay out of a bit of trouble.
“I’ve been working hard with my engineer to make sure the Eggleston Coca-Cola Commodore is right up the front, and playing it safe.
“We had some good speed towards the end of the weekend last year. We just didn't capitalise on it with the race win.”
Allen expects teammate Murray to mount a fightback after the latter left Bathurst with zero points following two crashes.
After hitting the wall across the top of the Mountain in Race 1, Murray was taken out by Zach Bates, consigning the incoming Triple Eight wildcard driver to a double DNF.
When asked if he believes Murray will be on a charge in Perth, Allen said: “100 percent.
“He'll come out strong, like he always does. If he can find his feet at Perth and start his recovery game, he should be good.
“Coops is very experienced and a very talented driver. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's got at Perth, and try and push me even harder and make sure I’m doing the best I can.
“He's probably one of the best teammates I could have for where I'm at the moment. He’s always pushing me, always got really good feedback.
"We pretty much like the same stuff, so we can work towards a really good car between the two of us, along with Jordyn [Sinni] and Cam [Crick], we’ll be hard to beat.”
Track action at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint will commence on Friday May 17. Tickets for the event are on sale now. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.
