WAU promotes rookie to main game

Kiwi teenager Ryan Wood will graduate to the 2024 Supercars Championship with Walkinshaw Andretti United, the team has announced.

Wood, who will turn 20 in December, will replace Nick Percat in the team’s #2 Ford Mustang Supercars next season. Percat’s exit was confirmed last week.

The teenager, who is racing for WAU in the Dunlop Series, has signed on with the team’s main game program on a multi-year deal.

Wood joins Andre Heimgartner (Brad Jones Racing), Matt Payne and Richie Stanaway (both Penrite Racing) as confirmed 2024 drivers from New Zealand.

He entered the WAU Foundation Academy following stints in the Porsche Sprint Challenge and Toyota 86 Series, and immediately impressed on Super2 debut with pole in Newcastle.

Wood followed up his Newcastle speed with a clean sweep of race wins at the second round in Perth, and after three rounds, sits fourth behind Zak Best, Kai Allen and Cooper Murray.

WAU recently handed Wood laps in a Gen3 Ford Mustang in a rookie evaluation day at Winton Motor Raceway.

“It’s a dream come true to be racing in the Supercars Championship with Walkinshaw Andretti United,” Wood said.

“It’s something you think about a lot as a kid and structure everything you do around, so for it to be coming true is pretty surreal to be honest.

"From the moment I walked into the team at the start of the year it felt right, they’ve been amazing to work with, there’s some incredible people within these four walls. I can’t thank the entire team enough for the opportunity and the work that’s gone on this year.

“There’s been a lot of people that have helped me get to this point throughout my career which I can’t thank enough either, from my family to supporters, a heap of people have played a really important role and I wouldn’t be here without them.

“Next year is going to be so exciting, but it’s extra motivation now for me to finish this year strong with the team, put the work in, and hit the ground running in 2024.”

Team co-owner Ryan Walkinshaw was excited to see the WAU Foundation Academy produce a main game star so soon.

“We are extremely excited to have Ryan graduate to the main game in 2024. His talent has been undeniable, and his raw speed obvious from the first time we saw him in a WAU car, so we are looking forward to watching his progression,” Walkinshaw said.

"His results this year have surprised none of us, and it’s great to see someone move through the WAU Foundation Academy so quickly.

Michael Andretti added: "We are extremely excited to have Ryan stepping up to Car No. 2 next season and beyond. He has been seriously impressive since he joined us at the start of 2023.

"To be on pole in his first Super2 round and then to clean sweep the second round proves his ability but also how quickly he can adapt, so we have no doubts on how he will go next year. It’s going to be great to watch him grow in the team.

Zak Brown said: “It’s fantastic to have Ryan in our team next year, in Car No. 2. His rise through the ranks has been impressive to watch, and he immediately caught our eye with his ability once we saw him firsthand.

“He’s got a great team around him, so we are all looking forward to watching him develop even further and showing why we see a huge future with Ryan.”

Wood will resume his Dunlop Series campaign at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 15-17.

How the 2024 Supercars grid stands (as of September 1, 2023)