Ryan Wood is making waves as one of three rookies in 2024, joining the prestigious Walkinshaw Andretti United team. After dominating the Dunlop Series, Wood is definitely a driver to watch.
The young Kiwi was part of the Dunlop Super2 Series rookie class in 2023, with WAU returning to the second tier after more than a decade. Wood delivered an outstanding performance, winning more races, rounds, and poles than any other driver. He now steps up to replace Nick Percat, partnering with Chaz Mostert.
At just 20 years old, Wood arrived at WAU through Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport after an impressive debut season in Australia’s Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge. He claimed four out of six round wins and swept all six pole positions, narrowly finishing second in the Pro Class standings behind Thomas Sargent.
Although Wood had a guaranteed spot in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia via the Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship, he chose to fast-track his career by moving directly to the Supercars ladder.
A multiple karting champion in New Zealand, Wood earned the Team Porsche NZ scholarship after excelling in his first two seasons of car racing. In 2021, he graduated to the Toyota 86 racing series, winning six out of 15 races and securing six pole positions, though a puncture in the final race saw him finish third overall.
He then competed in the 2021/22 South Island Endurance Series in a Porsche 991 Cup Car, winning the series with an undefeated record.