ALISTAIR McVean has been dubbed an unsung hero in Grove Racing’s rise to Supercars powerhouse status.
McVean is an experienced operator having tasted success in previous stints at the Holden Racing Team and Erebus Motorsport before joining what was then Kelly Grove Racing ahead of the 2021 season.
High-profile figures David Cauchi and Grant McPherson have both come and gone in the intervening years but McVean is still at Braeside, now as its head of performance.
“They are now in the teams’ championship lead of the Repco Supercars Championship, which is a massive feat because if you look back over the years, not many teams win that title, and not many get to the lead during the season,” Aaron Noonan said in nominating McVean as his Castrol Performer of the Week on The Undercut.
“So I think that’s a huge step.
“He’s not underrated, he’s very well-rated in the industry, but when you go back through the Grove history in the last year or two, lots of headlines with David Cauchi, lots with Grant McPherson, Riccardo Corte in recent times, Jack Bell as well.
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“Big Al sort of slips through the cracks a little bit, which is sort of his style.”
Co-host James Moffat added: “It really feels like that team is just going from strength to strength, and it’s the people behind it. You have got smart people like Al McVean.”
Another key staffer, crew chief Kosta Tzioras, meanwhile was recognised in Darwin as the winning team representative on the podium when Kai Allen conquered Race 18.
Kai Allen and Kosta Tzioras. Pic: Supplied/Mark Horsburgh