Murphy: Wood JR Trophy loss 'harder to take' than Bathurst pain
Ryan Wood NZ heartbreak ‘harder to take’ than Bathurst, says Greg Murphy
Walkinshaw TWG racer Wood missed out on JR Trophy with Christchurch DNF
Christchurch DNF was Wood's seventh major mechanical in last 12 months
Supercars legend Greg Murphy believes Ryan Wood’s latest heartbreaker is “harder to take” than the drama that hit the young Kiwi in last year’s Great Race.
Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver Wood had the Jason Richards Trophy ripped from his grasp when his Toyota ground to a halt with seven laps remaining in Race 13.
Wood took the lead with victory in Taupō, and held his nerve through the first three Christchurch sprints to be in the box seat heading into Sunday. However, it wasn’t to be, Wood recording his first DNF of the season in heartbreaking fashion.
Wood took a pragmatic approach to the outcome, while Broc Feeney — who inherited the Jason Richards Trophy — showed remorse to his arch-rival.
Wood’s mentor Murphy was waiting for Wood at pit exit as the young Kiwi finally crossed the track to make it back to the paddock. Wood then embraced members of his team, and composed himself in the team container before fronting up on the broadcast.
It was the latest mechanical blow to Wood in the last 12 months, losing potential wins last year in Perth (suspension), Bathurst (engine), Gold Coast (fuel leak) and Sandown (wheel). Bathurst was perhaps the most gutting, Wood dropping out of contention in the final hour.
Murphy said adversity will “rear its head again,” and quipped that the Christchurch result will be tougher to stomach than Bathurst.
“Considering when he exited Bathurst, there were 28 laps or whatever to go,” Murphy said on Supercars’ Equip Super Cool Down Lap podcast.
“This one is potentially harder to take, considering we were [seven] laps from the end, and what it means because we’re in New Zealand.
“The way he’s dealt with it, you would have to say, he’s understanding some of this things and he didn’t need to trawl over what happened.
“It’s part of the sport, and part of the game, and what can happen.”
Murphy, who himself suffered countless tough moments behind the wheel, insisted Wood must put the heartbreak into perspective, amid similar disasters for drivers across the years.
“There’s thousands of examples of people, just talking about Supercars, that have had moment taken away for whatever reason,” four-time Bathurst winner Murphy continued.
“You’re not unique in that respect. But that’ll never change in what that feels like.
“Be emotional about it, but also put it in perspective.”
