Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) has announced that Kiwi Ryan Wood will graduate to the 2024 Supercars Championship, driving the WAU No. 2 Ford Mustang GT on a multi-year deal.
Wood, a 19-year-old from Wellington, New Zealand, joined Walkinshaw Andretti United at the start of 2023 for his rookie Super2 campaign, immediately impressing with pole in his debut round on the streets of Newcastle, followed by a clean sweep of race wins in Round 2 at Barbagallo Raceway, Perth.
He currently sits fourth in the 2023 Dunlop Super2 Championship, with three rounds remaining.
“It’s a dream come true to be racing in the Supercars Championship with Walkinshaw Andretti United,” commented Wood. “It’s something you think about a lot as a kid and structure everything you do around, so for it to be coming true is pretty surreal to be honest.
“From the moment I walked into the team at the start of the year it felt right, they’ve been amazing to work with, there’s some incredible people within these four walls, so I can’t thank the entire team enough for the opportunity and the work that’s gone on this year.
“There’s been a lot of people that have helped me get to this point throughout my career which I can’t thank enough either, from my family to supporters, a heap of people have played a really important role and I wouldn’t be here without them.
“Next year is going to be so exciting, but it’s extra motivation now for me to finish this year strong with the team, put the work in, and hit the ground running in 2024.”
Wood entered the WAU Foundation Academy following stints in the Porsche Sprint Challenge and Toyota 86 Series, turning heads in both categories. He also recently sampled the WAU Gen3 Ford Mustang in a rookie evaluation day at Winton Motor Raceway.
He will make his main-game debut in the No. 2 alongside teammate Chaz Mostert at the opening round of the 2024 Supercars Championship, but until then, will be focussed on the remainder of the 2023 Dunlop Super2 Championship which returns at the Sandown 500 on September 15-17.
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