A shocking crash unfolded during the opening lap of the race, involving two renowned drivers, Wood and Rovanpera. This incident, which occurred on the very first lap of the 23-lap finale, not only red-flagged the race but also ended the competition for both Supercars star Wood and World Rally Champion Rovanpera.
The crash took place on the stretch between Turns 1 and 2, with Sebastian Manson seemingly forcing Rovanpera towards the inside of the circuit. This caused Rovanpera to veer into the gravel at high speed, while Manson spun and was subsequently hit by both Wood and Yeven David.
Wood, still in his car, appeared to express his frustration with a sarcastic applause. Fortunately, he climbed out unharmed.
When interviewed by the TV coverage, Wood shared his confusion about the incident. "I don't really know what happened," he said. "It all happened so fast. I saw more of the race car than I ever wanted to see in a crash."
He continued, "I'm just glad everyone is okay. It's a disappointing day for us, especially on a Sunday. It means a lot of extra work for the team at MTEC before Taupo, which we could have done without."
Wood expressed his belief that the squeeze out of Turn 1 on Lap 1 was unnecessary, and he anticipated some criticism for his racing style. "I think everyone will learn from this. It's been my weak point - I haven't been aggressive enough on the opening laps. I thought we were going down the back straight quickly, but then it all went wrong."
Adding to the drama, Australian driver Jack Taylor didn't even make it to the start of the race, pulling into the pits at the end of the formation lap due to illness.
This incident has sparked debate among fans and experts alike. What are your thoughts? Do you think the squeeze was justified, or was it an unnecessary risk? Share your opinions in the comments below!
