A thrilling victory for Ryan Wood at the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy! This race had it all, from an unexpected pole position to a dominant performance by Wood.
The Road to Victory
Wood's journey to the top step of the podium began with a lightning-quick start, overtaking surprise pole-sitter Jack Taylor. From there, he never looked back, leading every single lap of the 23-lap race.
But here's where it gets controversial... a mid-race safety car period threatened to shake things up. Ernesto Rivero and Zack Scoular's clash at the hairpin brought out the safety car, creating an opportunity for a potential restart shuffle. However, Wood's cool-headed approach paid off, and he maintained his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line ##s ahead of his closest competitors.
Emotional Win for Wood
The win held a special significance for Wood, who recalled his early days in racing and winning the Denny Hulme certificate. "Honestly, it means the world," he said, expressing his gratitude to his team at MTEC. Wood's joy was palpable as he shared the podium with Louis Sharp, praising his fellow driver's performance.
And this is the part most people miss... Wood's focus remains on the bigger picture. Despite the celebration, he's already looking ahead to the next races at Teretonga and Highlands, feeling confident about his team's progress.
Sharp's Strategic Move
Louis Sharp's podium finish was secured by a bold move on the first lap, overtaking Taylor. This set the tone for the rest of the race, with Taylor proving to be a tough nut to crack for those behind him.
The young Aussie, Jack Taylor, who grabbed pole position in the wet morning session, held onto fourth place for most of the race. However, he faced a formidable challenge from series leader Ugo Ugochukwu, who was on a mission to recover from his 11th-place grid position.
Ugochukwu's impressive drive saw him battle wheel-to-wheel with Taylor, momentarily dropping to sixth before fighting back. Ultimately, he managed to get past Taylor on the penultimate lap, showcasing his determination and skill.
The Final Standings
- Ryan Wood (NZL) - MTEC Motorsport
- Kanato Le (JPN) - Hitech
- Louis Sharp (NZL) - MTEC Motorsport
- Ugo Ugochukwu (USA) - M2 Competition
- Jin Nakamura (JPN) - Hitech
- Yuanpu Cui (CHN) - MTEC Motorsport
- Ernesto Rivera (MEX) - M2 Competition
- Nolan Allaer (USA) - Giles Motorsport
- Kalle Rovanperä (FIN) - Hitech
- Sebastian Manson (NZL) - M2 Competition
- Jack Taylor (AUS) - Giles Motorsport
- Yevan David (LKA) - Kiwi Motorsport
- Yuanpu Cui (CHN) - MTEC Motorsport
- Ricardo Baptista (BRA) - TJ Speed with HMD
- Fionn McLaughlin (IRL) - Hitech
- Cooper Shipman (USA) - Kiwi Motorsport
- James Wharton (AUS) - TJ Speed with HMD
- Freddie Slater (GBR) - M2 Competition
- Trevor Latourrette (USA) - TJ Speed with HMD
DNF
Zack Scoular (NZL) - MTEC Motorsport
The penultimate round of CTFROT will take place at Teretonga Raceway next weekend, with the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy still up for grabs. Who will emerge as the champion? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure - the competition is fierce!
What do you think? Is Wood's win a sign of things to come, or was it a one-off performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
