Ryan Wood delivered a landmark result for Toyota at the Melbourne SuperSprint on Friday evening, securing the manufacturer’s first podium finish in the Supercars Championship. The Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver finished third in the race at Albert Park, trailing only Brodie Kostecki and Matthew Payne. However, the achievement was tempered by ongoing scrutiny surrounding the legality of the team’s Supra chassis, a matter publicly raised by rival team boss Jamie Whincup.
The podium finish, although a significant milestone for the all-new Toyota program, wasn’t without its complexities. Wood benefited from incidents involving teammates Chaz Mostert and Broc Feeney, gaining valuable track position. Despite this, the result represents a substantial step forward for Walkinshaw TWG Racing, who have been working to unlock the potential of the Supra since its introduction to the series. The team had already completed a precautionary engine change prior to the race, mirroring a similar move at the Dunlop Sydney 500, demonstrating a cautious approach to reliability in the early stages of the Toyota engine’s development.
“It’s a very special day for our team [and] for myself,” Wood told Fox Sports immediately after the race. “With all of the stuff that’s being going on in the background, it’s really cool to shut up a few people.” This statement is widely interpreted as a direct response to the controversy surrounding the Supra chassis, initiated by Triple Eight team boss Jamie Whincup.
The dispute centers on allegations that the Walkinshaw Supra chassis incorporates TIG welding covered with MIG welding in areas prohibited by Supercars regulations. Whincup publicly voiced these concerns, prompting a response from both Walkinshaw TWG Racing and Supercars themselves, who maintain the chassis complies with the rules. Despite these assurances, the issue continues to be a talking point within the paddock, casting a shadow over Toyota’s on-track success.
Wood’s third-place finish came after qualifying in third position, the best qualifying result to date for a Toyota Supercar. He finished 12 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Cam Waters, enjoying a relatively comfortable run after the early-race drama involving his teammates and other competitors. The result moves Wood to sixth in the championship standings, while reigning champion Chaz Mostert sits just outside the Finals bubble in 11th place, according to Supercars.com.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenges Walkinshaw TWG Racing has faced in adapting to the Supra platform. Wood emphasized the team’s efforts to understand the new car, stating, “Our car is so different to the Mustang and it’s correlating as well as we probably would have liked. You can’t open the book and move, ‘these are set-ups from last year, let’s plug them in.’ We’re starting from scratch again and that’s been the hardest part.” He likewise praised the team’s work since the Sydney Motorsport Park event, highlighting the dedication required to bring the Supra up to competitive pace.
The team’s commitment to reliability was further underscored by the second engine change in as many rounds, a planned precautionary measure to address potential issues with the new Toyota engine. According to a team spokesperson, this strategy reflects a cautious approach to ensure the longevity of the engine program. V8 Sleuth reports that the engine changes are part of a broader effort to overcome ongoing challenges and maximize the Supra’s performance.
Looking ahead, the focus for Walkinshaw TWG Racing will be on continuing to refine the Supra package and build on the momentum gained at Albert Park. The team is also reportedly set to confirm a new co-owner, potentially providing further investment and stability for the Toyota program. The next race on the Supercars calendar will be a crucial test of whether Wood and Toyota can maintain their competitive edge and challenge for further podium finishes.
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