Wood avoids penalty after investigation, Love fined

Ryan Wood has avoided penalty after being alleged to have impeded Kiwi countryman Matt Payne at the betr Darwin Triple Crown.

Wood had a troubled run to 23rd in Boost Mobile Qualifying at Hidden Valley Raceway, with teammate Chaz Mostert only 22nd.

The New Zealander ran off the road at Turn 1 during the session, which was eventually topped by PremiAir Nulon Racing driver James Golding.

According to the Stewards Summary of Judicial Outcomes report, issued by Motorsport Australia, Wood allegedly impeded Payne’s #19 Penrite Racing Mustang between Turn 5 and Turn 10.

Penrite Racing requested an investigation into the incident, with the Deputy Race Director and Driving Standards Advisor later determining “there was insufficient evidence to determine that Car 2 had impeded Car 19.”

The matter wasn’t referred to the stewards, with Wood avoiding a second impeding penalty in as many rounds.

The stewards’ report reads: "Following the Session the DRD received a request for investigation from Grove Racing alleging that Car 2, Ryan Wood, had impeded Car 19, Matthew Payne, between Turn 5 and Turn 10 after leaving the track at Turn 1 and rejoining.

"Following a review of available footage, the DRD in consultation with the DSA determined that there was insufficient evidence to determine that Car 2 had impeded Car 19 and the matter did not require referral to the Stewards.”

In Perth, Wood was handed a grid drop after being found to have impeded Mark Winterbottom and Macauley Jones, leaving the former seething after qualifying down the order.

Meanwhile, fellow rookie Aaron Love has been fined after the Blanchard Racing Team driver was caught speeding in pit lane during Practice 1.

The report reads: "Following a hearing and an admission to the breach, the Stewards imposed a $500 fine on the Driver of Car 3, Aaron Love, after he was recorded to have exceeded the Pit Lane speed limit of 40kph during the Session."

Track action will commence on Saturday with Practice 2 at 9:35am ACST/10:05am AEST, before the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout at 11:35am ACST/12:05pm AEST.

The first race of the weekend, the 48-lap Race 11, will get underway at 3:10pm ACST/3:40pm AEST.