Wood set for pre-Taupō rookie test

Walkinshaw Andretti United rookie Ryan Wood will get extra mileage in his Ford Supercar ahead of his home event in Taupō, with the rising star to complete another rookie test this week.

Wood was the only driver on the grid without prior main game experience before the season began in Bathurst in February.

The 20-year-old’s debut round at Mount Panorama was undone by two clashes, before he improved at the Grand Prix late last month to score his first top 10 finish.

In just his second Supercars event, Wood took home finishes of 19th, 12th, 10th and 21st, and was 16th overall for the weekend.

However, the Kiwi was on track to score a second straight top 10 in the finale before a last-lap collision with Matt Stone Racing driver Cameron Hill attracted a penalty.

WAU has since opted to use a second rookie day for Wood ahead of the third round in New Zealand on April 19-21, with the #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Ford to roll out at Winton Motor Raceway.

Per Supercars rules, teams are allocated three rookie test days per year, with WAU and Blanchard Racing Team running tests for Wood and Aaron Love respectively at The Bend after Round 1.

Second-year drivers Hill and Penrite Racing driver Matt Payne, meanwhile, are eligible for rookie days in 2024. Hill tested at The Bend before the Bathurst season-opener, while Payne tested at Winton before the Grand Prix.

Having completed his first rookie test at The Bend, Wood has now been locked in to use his home circuit for the additional mileage.

Supercars-affiliated Dunlop Series teams will also test at Winton on Thursday, with WAU’s two-car team and Brad Jones Racing also set to hit the track.

WAU is represented by rising stars Zach Bates and Campbell Logan in Super2, while rookies Elliott Cleary and Cody Gillis debuted for BJR in Bathurst in February.