IF Ryan Wood wasn’t already on the radar after his Newcastle Super2 pole position heroics, he sure is now.
The 19-year-old Kiwi rookie further put his name on the map by sweeping the Super2 round in Perth last weekend.
His double win was all the more remarkable for the fact it came in the Walkinshaw Andretti United ZB Commodore which qualified last for all three main game races last year at Wanneroo Raceway.
V8 Sleuth understands WAU either has or is in the process of ensuring Wood remains in its camp beyond 2023, although team principal Bruce Stewart was typically cagey when approached about the matter.
“Our arrangements with our drivers are confidential,” he smiled.
Stewart though is clearly impressed by Wood, who can also count WAU technical director Carl Faux as a major fan.
“It’s exciting for everyone in the category to see exciting young talent come through and for us, having Ryan inside our team, he’s such a big talent both on and off the track,” said Stewart.
“We love having him in the team.”
WAU’s re-establishment of its Super2 program which also features fellow teen driver Zach Bates, as well as the creation of a Toyota 86 squad, was all about forming pathways to develop its own talent (also in terms of engineers, mechanics, et cetera).
Asked about his newfound limelight post-round, Wood voiced his commitment to WAU.
“I’m only focused on the team that I’m with at the moment and I’m just really enjoying being a part of that and hopefully we can continue that journey together,” he said.
“I just really want to improve on myself and my driving and just enjoy this time.
“A lot of people don’t get to have this opportunity and I’m very lucky and my family and all my sponsors have worked really hard to get me here so it’s pretty cool.”
Wood’s almost immediate success has come as no surprise to main game Kiwi drivers Shane van Gisbergen and Matt Payne.
“He’s an awesome young kid, a great personality and a good bunch of skills as well so I see him going far,” said van Gisbergen.
“There’s some good Kiwis coming through and for him to be a rookie and straight in to be that fast, he’s very impressive. Hopefully he keeps going well.”
Added Payne: “I knew Ryan was always going to do well. It was just a matter of time for me when he was going to win a race and he won two of them this weekend.
“He’s fantastic, he’s a likeable guy.”
