Ryan Wood, a rising star in supercars, shares his experiences racing in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand. He discusses the transition from racing an 86 to a single-seater, his training regimen, and the competitive field he faces. Wood reflects on his relationships within his team, the support from the Tony Quinn Foundation, and his aspirations for the upcoming supercar season. The episode also touches on his personal growth as a driver and the importance of mental resilience following recent challenges.
For our first ep of season ‘26 Rusty catches up with Supercars rising star Ryan Wood in the paddock at Hampton Downs.
‘Woody’ is stepping into an open wheeler over summer and we caught up with him on the eve of round 1 of the Toyota series that’s now badged CTFROT.
There is a seriously impressive line-up here trying to follow in the footsteps of Arvid Lindblad who won the title last year on the way to a full time drive in Formula 1. (You can find Arvid’s shortcast ep in our library).
The new F1 champ Lando Norris is another former graduate of this series. How Ryan is coping with the different demands of open wheel racing and how the MTEC crew wisely includes some of his colleagues from the Walkinshaw Supercars squad. Plus some thoughts on the new Supra he’ll race in the Supercars Championship this year and the ways Kiwi legend Greg Murphy helps him as he continues to climb the ladder. Head to Rusty's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and give us your feedback and let us know who you want to hear from on Rusty's Garage
"...a rising star of supercars who is having a hit out in a single seater over summer..."
Supercars are very fast and expensive cars that are built for racing and high performance. They are known for their speed and sleek designs.
Supercars are high-performance sports cars that are designed for speed, handling, and advanced technology. They often feature powerful engines and are built for both track and road use.
"...rebadged as the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy this year. A reminder too about our most recent feature episode..."
The Formula Regional Oceania Trophy is a racing competition for young drivers using special race cars. It's a way for them to gain experience and possibly move up to bigger racing events.
The Formula Regional Oceania Trophy is a racing series that features single-seater cars, providing a platform for young drivers to showcase their talent and potentially progress to higher levels of motorsport.
"...where we talk about his early days in motocross, racing supercars, a near-death crash at Mount Paterama..."
Motocross is a type of motorcycle racing that takes place on dirt tracks with jumps and turns. It's a fun and exciting sport for both riders and spectators.
Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. It involves a variety of terrains and obstacles, making it a challenging sport for riders.
"...some of these young kids that are meant to be touted for Formula One so it's pretty cool."
Formula One is a type of car racing that features very fast cars and is held on special tracks. It's one of the most famous and exciting forms of racing in the world.
Formula One is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, known for its high-speed cars and prestigious races held worldwide. It features advanced technology and is considered the pinnacle of motorsport.
"...to new limits so then you go across next door to M2 and with the new team and Hightech and then you k..."
The BMW M2 is a sporty car that is made for people who love to drive fast and enjoy sharp handling. It has a powerful engine and a design that looks really cool, making it a popular choice for those who want a fun driving experience.
The BMW M2 is a high-performance version of the BMW 2 Series, designed for driving enthusiasts who seek a balance of power and agility. It features a turbocharged inline-six engine, sport-tuned suspension, and aggressive styling, making it a standout in the compact sports car segment. The M2 is often discussed for its thrilling driving dynamics and as a more accessible entry point into BMW's M lineup.
"...with the Toyota Supra and trying to make sure that we're up the front and hit the ground running..."
The Toyota Supra is a sports car famous for being fast and fun to drive. It's popular among people who love cars and racing.
The Toyota Supra is a well-known sports car that has gained a reputation for its performance and tuning potential. It has a rich history in motorsports and is popular among car enthusiasts.
"Oh look I think for me the New Zealand Grand Prix would be pretty cool. At the end of the day I just want to learn and develop but I'm a racing driver I want to win races I want to get trophies..."
The New Zealand Grand Prix is a famous car race held in New Zealand. Many skilled drivers participate, and it's a great opportunity for them to show their racing abilities.
The New Zealand Grand Prix is a prestigious motor racing event that showcases various racing disciplines, including open-wheel racing. It attracts talented drivers and is known for its competitive field.
"but I'm a racing driver I want to win races I want to get trophies and I think our team and our equipment can do that..."
A racing driver is someone who drives cars in races. They need to be very skilled and know a lot about how cars work to win.
A racing driver is a professional or amateur driver who competes in motorsport events. They require skill, precision, and a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics to succeed in races.
"I think the field here I think there's 10 guys that could win this championship this year I think it's probably the deepest of I guess competitiveness that it's been for a long time..."
Competitiveness in racing means how good the drivers and teams are compared to each other. If many drivers are very skilled, it makes the races more exciting and harder to win.
Competitiveness in racing refers to the level of skill and performance among drivers and teams. A highly competitive field means that many participants have the potential to win, making races more challenging and exciting.
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It is a brand new season of Rusty's Garage and for the first short cast of the year we
are joined by a rising star of supercars who is having a hit out in a single seater over
summer at home here in New Zealand.
Hi everybody, Rusty with you. Welcome to the garage shortly to Ryan Wood from Walk and
Sure and Dready who is having a bit of fun in the Toyota series, what's been rebadged
as the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy this year. A reminder too about our
most recent feature episode which dropped on Christmas Eve with Paul Wheel where we talk
about his early days in motocross, racing supercars, a near-death crash at Mount Paterama
at Bathurst, the juggernaut that is PWR cooling and trying to conquer Baja. That has been
brutal for both P and for Toby Price, making his Toyota debut sort of. Ryan Wood, good
day mate, welcome to Hampton Downs, nice to be home over summer.
Thanks Rusty, cool to see that little piece in person, I listen to it online so cool to
see it in action but yeah really cool to be at home in New Zealand, really enjoying the
New Zealand summer, we're pretty chill right now so yeah it's been cool.
You have raced an 86 before but this year you're in a single-seater here in New Zealand,
how has that whole transition, what's that been like and how did that whole concept,
that idea come about?
Yeah look I felt like Prime Sunny Hayes from the F1 movie in the off-season trying to do
neck exercises on the end of my bed and push-ups, even got a pack of playing cards to, nah I'm
kidding, but no it's been really cool, really different for me, been training quite hard
to try and prepare for this and I feel like I'm prepared besides my neck at the moment
so that's going to probably come and develop over the next four weeks but yeah really excited
to push myself to new limits, something I've always wanted to do as well, being in a Toyota
this year with supercars really just made sense to come and do this championship before
I start that journey in Australia so yeah cool, it feels like a really cool full circle
moment as well obviously starting in Toyota 86s and then coming back with this very similar
faces around the paddock is really cool so yeah look it's going to be a big four weeks,
got some really fast guys, fast team mates learning lots so just want to see all the
Kiwis get up the front and you know mix it with some of these young kids that are meant
to be touted for Formula One so it's pretty cool.
It is a stacked lineup like last year with Will Brown and Brock coming to play and what
Arvid Lindblad did was amazing but when you look at the field this year there are some
serious players mate aren't there?
Oh yeah look the two you know two three guys in my team with Louis, Zack and you know we
are all pushing each other and it's early days obviously and I'm learning lots each
session I get out there and it's quite funny each corner I go I can do this better I can
do that better and it's just all about pushing myself to new limits so then you go across
next door to M2 and with the new team and Hightech and then you know you've got James
Wharton here you've got so many stacked drivers I think all of us you know wanting to win
the championship and do that in New Zealand Grand Prix but I think for me it's just about
trying to you know be close enough to just learn and develop as a driver so then when
I get back to Australia for the Supercars Championship I'm you know hopefully a few
steps ahead of the guys that I'm racing.
You are looking sharp mate has that been a thing over summer with fitness and things
tell us what you've been doing there?
Yeah look it's probably been a real focus of mine the last probably year year and a
half to to try and you know make myself feel better in the race car and even out of the
race car so yeah it was really cool over summer spent time in Topor and yeah I went and ran
out in Mount Tahara with Ron Murphy and I wouldn't call it so much a run it was more
of a run walk but it was really cool New Year's Day started the new year ride and yeah
for me it's just all about trying to make myself the best race car driver I can be today
so I just keep moving forward and obviously got Murphy in my corner which you know what
he's like so he's pushed me really hard and yeah really just looking at the bigger picture
of how to be the best version of Ryan Wood and win the most races at the moment.
Just in the last little while you were doing a TV interview I saw Bruin Beasley walk pass
he kind of gave you a cheeky wave as he came by what has it been like being you know in
the M-Tech Motorsport team working with him and perhaps a different group of people?
Yes look it's been very different introducing myself to a lot of new faces which has been
really cool it's something that you really enjoy and you're always nervous about when
you come into a new team but I knew Bruin he worked at our race team at Walk and Short
TWG racing now so you know that was really special and really cool and I also brought
my engineer and Richard Harris over so the Brains trust around me is still the same and
I rely on him so much so to have him in my corner this next four weeks is going to be
really vital and leaning on him and making sure that our bond just keeps ever growing
as we go into the supercar season ahead so the group at M-Tech are very professional
our garage our race cars are really well prepared and look they had a really great season last
year and I think we've got a really great driver line up to develop on and try and put
a fight to you know the teams up and down the pit lane.
We're going to take a quick break if you don't mind here on the short cast more with
Ryan Wood on the other side of this.
This is the Motorsport Brief coming to you from Hampton Downs round one of the next Gen
NZ Championship our first guest of the year we're delighted to have Ryan Wood on the podcast
ahead what is going to be a massive season for him starting fittingly at home in New
Zealand with something a little bit different but everyone really excited about the super
of course and you'll be here for two events in the coming months as well in New Zealand
how's the preparation been on the supercar side how's it all looking?
Yeah look our team's been super busy it's been a massive off season for them and you
know for me to be busy as well feels like I'm playing my part in it all and I'm trying
to make sure that we turn up with the new Toyota product really well so they had a massive
time in America as all the supercars teams homologation teams did and really tried to
make sure that we have the best product going into round one and I think you know it's an
exciting time for supercars an exciting time for our team and to be a part of that as a
young driver is really really special so yeah it's going to be a really cool and you know
I guess nerve-wracking couple of months with the Toyota super and trying to make sure that
we're up the front and hit the ground running but I think we should be okay in just trying
to prep myself so that when I get into that car I can be on it straight away.
Tony Quinn Foundation's support for this exercise over summer here what's the reaction
been like at home because you've had this incredible growth in the past 12 months in
a supercar sense it's been a couple of years now since you left here and made Australia
I guess your home from a racing perspective has there been a good reaction to you coming
back to play here?
Yeah look it's really special to be honest I remember before I went to Australia we sat
down in a calf in Wellington and caught up and had a great chat and you sort of taught
me a few things about how to do this sort of stuff and lucky enough it sort of comes
a little bit naturally for me which has been really cool and you know going back to the
Tony Quinn side to be having his backing is really special and the whole Tony Quinn group
is really cool so for me you know I had their backing in super 2 and a few other championships
was really really cool and you look at my car and it's just you know really great people
from New Zealand and they've backed me for so long and so to come back home and race
with that those sponsors in that group is really cool obviously Scott O'Donnell's played
such a massive part of my career and the Wade family's come on board which is a new partnership
for 2026 so that's really cool they're obviously sponsoring the whole next gen championship
and you know Allied Petroleum the list goes on and on Miles Toyota starting the Toyota
relationship really well so yeah I think for me just having guys and girls around me that
really care about me as a person and being able to help me grow in this championship
to then help my supercars in the future is going to be really cool and then from the
I guess fans perspective it's been pretty cool already so hopefully we get great crowds
at all the rounds because I think our championship in New Zealand motorsport deserves it and
Deb Day and the team there have put so much into it so it's an exciting time for New Zealand
motorsport and for me to be here now it feels like I'm starting my racing career again when
I was 16 17 and cars so it's a little bit pinch me moment. CT Frott Trophy or New Zealand
Grand Prix at the end of this four weeks straight what do you want? Oh look I think for me the
New Zealand Grand Prix would be pretty cool. At the end of the day I just want to learn and
develop but I'm a racing driver I want to win races I want to get trophies and I think our team
and our equipment can do that so look it's going to be really hard you know I think the field here
I think there's 10 guys that could win this championship this year I think it's probably the
deepest of I guess competitiveness that it's been for a long time so to hopefully throw my
head in the ring there would be really cool and and just try and yeah push myself to new limits
that probably I don't even know that are possible yet. Alright I mean that leads me to two things
as we near the end of this year firstly Murph obviously you've worked together for a number of
years now but but that relationship changes pardon me as you grow as a racer so do you feel like he
offers something different and you bring something different to the table as you as you've grown in
in that sense what's that like now? Yeah look I think me and Murph probably I would say we have a
really good relationship because we talk nearly every day just about not even sometimes about
racing sometimes just about normal life stuff just catching up and I would say I lean on him
more so than just I don't even call Murph a manager because I would just call him a really
really important mate that I've got around me and and you know he's he's hard he's very hard on me
but I need that and I really respect that and I know that when I need praise he's usually the
first one to give it and he doesn't give much out usually so to get that sometimes it's been
really cool there's probably only been one or two times but you know to have that and know that he's
straight up and down black and white is really cool and you know you need people around you that
don't bullshit you and and lead you down a garden path so I really respect him as a person as a
driver obviously what he did in a race car is unbelievable and if I could ever get close to
that I would be super super humbled and proud of myself but um yeah I think he just brings more than
just driving and and you know how to hold myself he brings how to be off track how to look at
motorsport as a life more than just a guest job gotcha lastly I don't feel the need to go back over
the events of Adelaide because I reckon that's been debated ad nauseam lots of people have shared
their views on that be it in in print or podcast whatever that that might be clearly though mate
that must have been a tough thing to deal with have you been able to to park that move on just
just broadly speaking how have you you're coped in the wake of all of that yeah look rusty it's
been um a bit of a whirlwind to be honest and I really appreciate you reaching out and so many
other people reached out that uh really meant a lot to me and um I'm lucky enough like I said
Murph he was one of the first people there to call when I got out of the race car and I knew it was
going to be you know pretty pretty full on next couple of weeks and it was and um you know I can't
thank Ainsley Ainsley McCormick from uh you know she looks after all my socials and and that sort
of stuff and what she did for me behind the scenes was really important for myself and how to bounce
back and come racing again and and not worry about that sort of stuff and uh yeah for me it's it's
being really great to be racing again and um yeah keep my mind back into the place that I really
love most which has been behind the wheel of a race car so obviously my team and everyone in my
family supported me and that's what's super important with my sponsorship group as well is
they're all they all feel like family as well so uh yeah look it was tough not to read all the
comments and and get stuck into that stuff but at the end of the day I had a really great
network around me and um so many people reached out to me to you know make sure that I was okay
as well so really do appreciate everyone uh checking in and making sure I was all good I've
been pretty quiet on the social front and um yeah look I'm going to try and pick back up over the
next four weeks because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to race a single
seeder and I'm going to enjoy it do it at home hopefully the sun stays around for the next four
weeks and we can all have a really great time it's going to be an awesome month on the road enjoy
every single minute of it go well and that's super in 2026 that is it for this edition of the
short cast our thanks to Ryan Wood for joining us don't forget of course we're on the road with
the next gen NZ championship for the next four weeks and we'll be bringing you lots of great
content we're going to catch up with the great Kenny Smith too bye for now
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