Supercars driver Kai Allen has reflected on a near collision with a kangaroo during last year’s Bathurst 1000, describing the incident as a terrifying moment that highlighted the unique challenges of racing at Mount Panorama. Allen recounted the near miss on Conrod Straight, where he narrowly avoided hitting a kangaroo bounding across the track at approximately 250 km/h with just five laps remaining in the race.
The incident occurred in wet conditions, adding to the difficulty of the race for the then-rookie driver. Allen described the experience as “wild” and “scary,” noting that his heart rate spiked as he navigated the treacherous circuit while managing damage to his car. He said the close call was a sobering reminder of the unpredictable dangers at Bathurst, especially after witnessing a more severe kangaroo collision earlier this year.
In February’s Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race, German driver Chris Mies was involved in a high-speed crash when his car struck a kangaroo on the same stretch of track. The animal collided with the front of Mies’ vehicle and went through the windscreen, leaving the driver shaken and injured by the impact. Allen said watching that crash made him realize just how fortunate he had been to avoid a similar fate.
“There’s a lot that can go wrong, and it definitely spiked my heart rate,” Allen said. “It’s one of those wild things about Bathurst—you’ve got to dodge kangaroos as well as contend with the track.”
Allen, who finished eighth at last year’s Bathurst 1000, secured a spot in the Supercars inaugural finals series during his first full-time season. Now 21, he is preparing for his second Bathurst 1000 as a full-time driver, paired with teammate Tim Slade for the endurance campaign. The pair recently recorded a strong second-place finish at the Tailem Bend 500 in wet conditions, a result Allen said boosted their confidence ahead of the “Great Race.”
Currently third in the drivers’ championship behind teammate Matt Payne and Triple Eight’s Broc Feeney, Allen has already locked in his finals berth for the season. He expressed that with the pressure of qualification off his shoulders, he can focus fully on Bathurst, aiming to improve on his previous performance.
“We know we’re locked into the finals, so I can go out there and just enjoy Bathurst and try to put a really strong race together,” he said. Allen is traveling to Mount Panorama with Payne from Melbourne and emphasized the importance of maintaining a relaxed mindset. “Matt and I have similar music tastes, so we’ve made a playlist to help keep things light,” he added.
Despite his growing experience, Allen acknowledged the unpredictability of the race and the constant risk posed by Mount Panorama’s environment. “I’ve missed one (kangaroo) before, so I know what to do, but it can definitely go wrong if you don’t do things properly,” he said. As he returns to the challenging circuit this week, Allen hopes to avoid any wildlife encounters and focus on delivering another strong showing.