KAI Allen has revealed he gifted the helmet from his first Supercars race win to his team boss Stephen Grove.
Allen broke through last Friday in Christchurch to become the fifth-youngest race winner in ATCC/Supercars Championship history, behind Scott McLaughlin, Broc Feeney and the Kelly brothers Todd and Rick.
Grove Racing copped plenty of flak for releasing Richie Stanaway in order to pounce on Allen but the proof has been in the pudding the past 12 months.
Allen had failed to graduate to the main game even after winning the 2023 Super2 title, and he makes no secret of his gratitude to the Groves for parachuting him in for ’25.
“Obviously Steve and Brenton (Grove) have been a massive part in getting me to where I am today. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” Allen said on last night’s episode of MotorRacing 360.
Pic: Supplied/Mark Horsburgh
“They gave me a shot back last year and even 2024 when I signed the contract with them. It was always my goal to get to Supercars.
“So obviously I thought about it and I knew how much it would mean to Steve to give him the actual helmet that I used to get my first race win.
“It can’t compare to the stuff he’s given to me to get to where I am today.
“So I’m pumped that I could rock up there, I actually delivered it this morning to his work and caught up with him and he was absolutely rapt.”
Allen has rocketed to fifth in the championship standings after accumulating the most points across the Christchurch Super440.