Ryan Wood has achieved a significant milestone for Toyota, securing the brand’s inaugural Supercars victory in just its third race on the grid. Competing at the Taupo circuit in New Zealand, Wood started from pole position and, after a keen battle during his second pit stop, emerged behind teammate Chaz Mostert but with a strategic tyre advantage.
Initially frustrated by losing his lead to Mostert, Wood quickly turned the situation around, catching and overtaking his teammate before pulling ahead to maintain an unassailable lead. This remarkable win was celebrated passionately, with Richard Craill commenting on Wood’s importance to the community, stating that “home town hero” barely encapsulates the significance of his victory.
Wood, hailing from Wellington, crossed the finish line over three seconds ahead of Broc Feeney, with Mostert finishing third, marking Toyota’s first double-podium in the series. Notably, this victory ends a lengthy dominance of the Supercars by brands such as Ford and General Motors, with the last non-American brand winner being Nissan in May 2018.
An emotional Wood expressed pride in his team’s efforts, celebrating their achievement in his home country. “Winning in our third round is pretty special. I can’t believe it,” he remarked, overwhelmed by the support from friends and family.
Toyota debuted the GR Supra in February at Sydney Motorsport Park, where it quickly proved competitive. After securing a podium in the previous race at the Australian Grand Prix, Wood’s latest victory follows a promising run for the brand in the series.
The triumph also ignited celebrations among the Walkinshaw team, with former commentator Neil Crompton, who was instrumental in Toyota’s entry into the sport, joining in the festivities. Crompton remarked on the dedication and hard work invested in this journey, reflecting on personal challenges he faced along the way. His excitement was palpable, highlighting the collective effort that has led to this pioneering moment in Supercars history.
Due to adverse conditions, the follow-up race scheduled for Sunday was cancelled, concluding the Taupo weekend. This has resulted in a rescheduling for the upcoming race to be held at the Ruapuna circuit near Christchurch. Wood’s win marks a pivotal moment for Toyota in the Supercars Championship, promising a bright future for the brand within the sport.