Ryan Wood, Kai Allen play down latest "clumsy" tangle
Wood and Allen have clashed three times in as many events
Rising stars collided in Darwin qualifying, Townsville race
Ryan Wood and Kai Allen have both played down their latest bizarre tangle, which saw both rising stars collide in Perth practice.
The Walkinshaw TWG Racing and Penrite Racing drivers clashed for the third time in as many events, with both cars making side-to-side contact in Practice 2 on Friday.
The two drivers tripped over each other while clearing Objective Racing rookie Jackson Walls, who took to the Turn 3/4 grass in a bizarre incident.
Neither team raised the incident with Motorsport Australia officials.
It came after Wood sent his Toyota down the inside of Allen’s Ford during qualifying in Darwin, which resulted in contact. In the second Townsville race, a bold Allen move put Wood out of contention.
On both occasions, drivers vented their frustrations, but refused to lay the boot into each other.
Wood declined to comment after Friday’s session, but fronted up on the broadcast on Saturday morning, saying: “I tried to get in front of both of them, because I can’t do the same warm up procedure.
“It was a bit awkward. I felt like that time I was definitely the one not steering into the other, it is what it is, it’s lucky it’s practice really.
“But then it ruined both of our green runs, because I think we were both rattled, and I had a bit of damage.”
Allen was also asked about the incident, saying: “It’s hard in those sessions, you’re coming in on new tyres and I didn’t realise Woody was there at first.
“I really like Ryan, he’s a good hard racer, we’ve got no beef, I don’t think. I was trying to get my tyres up to temp and get out of Jackson’s way, and he was next to me for a long time, and I tried to get around him, and had some contact.
“Seems like we’re finding each other on track, which is pretty funny.”
Supercars champion Garth Tander insisted both drivers need to saying: "I think the boys probably need to go and have a little chat, both Kai and Ryan.
"They need to go and have a chat. You can't keep playing those games forever, because they're going to start costing themselves.”
When asked about Tander’s comments, Wood replied: “I don’t really mind. It’s up to Kai.
“I feel like the last two times, the scenario’s been where he comes down and talks to me.
"The one Darwin had no effect on anything. Yesterday’s one was probably clumsy on both our sides.
“I don’t think there’s anything to it. You guys need something at the moment. I’m sure me and Kai will keep providing you the headlines.”
Allen and Wood are fifth and eighth in the points heading to Perth.
