Toyota New Zealand has appointed Supercars Championship driver Ryan Wood as its first-ever GAZOO Racing (GR) Brand Guardian, a new role created to bring the GR brand to life beyond the racetrack and strengthen the connection between performance, community, and driving culture across the country.
In this new position, the 22-year-old Kiwi motorsport champion will share his personal journey and connect with fans, car enthusiasts, and communities across New Zealand, drawing on the progression and determination that have defined a racing career spanning the Supercars Championship, the Bathurst 1000, the GT World Challenge Australia, and, closer to home, the New Zealand Grand Prix and the Bridgestone GR86 Championship.
Wood began racing in the Toyota 86 Championship through the CareVets Scholarship programme, before working his way up to become a Supercars race winner behind the wheel of a Toyota GR Supra, a genuine full-circle story that Toyota New Zealand says is proof of the driver development pathway it continues to invest in today.
Ryan Wood says his new role is about building a stronger community for performance enthusiasts, a natural extension of the values that have shaped his career, and a chance to share his story with others who love driving as much as he does.
“Getting the call about this took me right back to where I started. I came through the Toyota 86 Championship with a lot to prove, and there have been plenty of setbacks along the way to get to where I am now. That’s really what this is about for me; it’s never been about being perfect, it’s about not settling and always looking to improve. I’m looking forward to connecting with more Kiwis through this role, both on the track and off it,” says Wood.
“To me, this role is about more than a line-up of high-performance vehicles. It’s less about racing and more about the love of performance and being a real car enthusiast. As a Brand Guardian, I’ll be focused on how we bring our growing community together through a shared love of driving, through motorsport, owner experiences, track events, genuine performance parts, and even merchandise.”
Toyota New Zealand Chief Strategic Officer Andrew Davis says Wood was chosen for what he represents, not just what he has won.
“Ryan represents everything GAZOO Racing stands for: progression, resilience and a genuine love of driving. His journey from the Toyota 86 Championship to winning races in the Supercars Championship in a GR Supra, and also winning races in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in 2026, is a powerful reminder of what our driver development pathway can produce, and it gives us an authentic voice to bring the GAZOO Racing brand to life for New Zealanders who might only know it from the racetrack,” says Davis.
“This isn’t about motorsport results; it’s about showing people what GAZOO Racing means for everyday driving. It’s about Ryan’s story and the example he sets for young drivers coming through. He’s exactly the kind of person we want representing our pathway and connecting with communities right across the country.”
The appointment also reflects Toyota New Zealand’s broader commitment to community, with Wood set to play an active role engaging with grassroots motorsport and driving communities around the country.
It’s an approach that reflects Wood’s own experience coming up through the Toyota pathway, and one he’s keen to pay forward to the next generation of Kiwi drivers.
Wood made his first appearance as Brand Guardian at the official launch event this week at Hampton Downs, with further community and event activity planned around the country throughout the motorsport season.
Header Image: Supplied
