SHELL V-POWER RACING TEAM ANNOUNCES WILDCARD ENTRY FOR REPCO BATHURST 1000

The Shell V-Power Racing Team has today announced the team’s first-ever wildcard entry into the Repco Bathurst 1000. One of the most successful teams in Supercars’ history tackles the most iconic event in the Australian Motorsport landscape.​

The third Shell V-Power Ford Mustang GT will be driven by experienced Supercars and 5-time Bathurst driver Simona De Silvestro and rising star Kai Allen. Currently, Allen is driving in the Dunlop Super 2 Series whilst Swiss-born racer, De Silvestro, the first full-time female driver in the Supercars Championship (2017), is a former IndyCar driver and current Porsche Factory driver. Together this dynamic duo will take on the famous Mount Panorama race track.

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 our corporate partners. The pairing of experience and youth provides a great platform for our wildcard entry to be competitive at Mount Panorama this year.

David Noble, Chief Executive Officer of Dick Johnson Racing, shared his excitement regarding this announcement.  “This wildcard entry has been a long time coming for Dick Johnson Racing 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 wouldn’t 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.”

Simona 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. 4 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 can’t wait to be back in Australia in September to start testing the new Gen3 car.”

Supercars Debutant, Kai Allen, also 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. 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 can’t wait to learn from her, as she is such an experienced driver.”  

Andrew Egan, Viva Energy’s General Manager – Customer & Marketing, said Viva Energy is 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. 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’ve been part of their journey since 1967.”

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 that 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.  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.  

Team Principal, Ben Croke, shared his remarks regarding this announcement. “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.”

The DJR ownership group – Brett & Shaun Ralph, Dick Johnson AM, Ryan Story AM – have a long-term commitment to Supercars, our Partners and our Fans, and a strong vision for the future of Dick Johnson Racing. We look forward to what this additional venture will bring to the team.