Ryan Wood enters Gold Coast in elimination zone
Kiwi endured bruising Bathurst with two accidents
Wood looking to win his way through to Sandown Semi Final
Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver Ryan Wood has vowed to hunt for race wins in a do-or-die Gold Coast weekend for his 2026 title aspirations.
Having started the season as Toyota's shining light, claiming a maiden podium, pole, and race win for the Japanese giants within the first nine races of the season, Wood has gone through a difficult patch in recent rounds.
From an engine-induced retirement before the race even started in a Perth finale, to an outright lack of speed in Ipswich, things looked to be back on the up with a charging podium at The Bend.
However, it was back down to earth with a literal thud at Bathurst, a heavy practice crash ruling him out of qualifying, before another crash late in the race while running well outside the top 10.
Wood enters Finals ninth in points, and needing an 18 point turnaround on the cut-line to lift out of the elimination zone. However, a race win would alleviate all the pressure, and secure automatic qualification regardless of points.
“It’s great to be in with a shot going into this weekend, we need to keep it clean but take risks to make sure we get that race win to head into the semi-finals," Wood said.
“The weather is going to play a big part this weekend, there’s going to be a lot of chaos out there, qualifying up the front is going to help minimise that sort of risk during the races.”
Wood's Friday crash at Bathurst registered a 42G impact, and inflicted heavy damage to the #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Toyota, which required more attention at the team's Melbourne base after his Sunday crash.
Compounding a difficult weekend for Walkinshaw TWG Racing was Chaz Mostert crashing out just five laps from home, replicating Wood's practice crash after clipping the inside wall at Forrest's Elbow.
Mostert will race in a spare chassis on the Gold Coast, the chassis that he used as a Ford Mustang for the opening rounds of 2025, including a race win in Taupō. Wood remains in his regular chassis, and thanked his crew for their long hours spent turning around the two Supras.
“The amount of work the boys and girls at Walkinshaw TWG Racing have put into getting both of our cars turned around, is nothing short of a miracle," Wood said of his WTWGR crew.
"They have worked all day, all night and throughout the weekend to ensure we can have a chance to fight in the Top 10."
Wood does have Gold Coast form, claiming Saturday pole honours and leading the opening leg comfortably last year before a fuel leak sunk his hopes just a handful of laps into the Finals.
Qualifying has once again been Wood's strong suit in 2026, however he has faded considerably through races, his average finish of 9.7 down on his average start of 8.6. The 22-year-old is ranked 24th and last in the field for tyre degradation this season.
Wood's 2026 Finals campaign commences with two practice sessions and Boost Mobile Qualifying on Friday.
