The hopes for another New Zealand winner of the Jason Richards Trophy are well and truly alive, with Ryan Wood taking the lead to Christchurch.
The Walkinshaw TWG Racing star survived a scare in Race 9 to win the ITM Taupō Super 440 finale, and with it, claim an early JR Trophy lead.
For the first time, the JR Trophy will be contested across two rounds: one in Taupō on the North Island, and in Christchurch on the South Island.
Wood will carry a 17-point lead over Broc Feeney to the inaugural ITM Christchurch Super 440, with Will Brown 13 points behind his teammate.
After winning the opening race, Brodie Kostecki could only muster sixth in the 200km finale, and has dropped to fourth in the standings 41 points off Wood, but remains in the championship lead.
2026 Jason Richards Trophy standings
Correct to Race 9, 2026 ITM Taupō Super 440
Pos. | Driver | Total | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wood | 213 | |
2 | Feeney | 196 | -17 |
3 | Brown | 183 | -30 |
4 | Kostecki | 172 | -41 |
5 | Mostert | 167 | -46 |
6 | Payne | 157 | -56 |
7 | Golding | 138 | -75 |
8 | De Pasquale | 111 | -102 |
9 | Le Brocq | 102 | -111 |
10 | Allen | 91 | -122 |
11 | Heimgartner | 88 | -125 |
12 | Waters | 87 | -126 |
13 | Hill | 75 | -138 |
14 | Reynolds | 69 | -144 |
15 | Randle | 69 | -144 |
16 | Ojeda | 66 | -147 |
17 | Cameron | 60 | -153 |
18 | Murray | 58 | -155 |
19 | Bates | 58 | -155 |
20 | Jones | 57 | -156 |
21 | Gray | 51 | -162 |
22 | Fraser | 49 | -164 |
23 | Stewart | 24 | -189 |
24 | Walls | 14 | -199 |