Words: Connor O'Brien - V8 Sleuth | Images Supplied: Dale Wood
DALE Wood will carry a fresh livery into Round 2 of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia after inking a deal with automotive insurance brand Shannons.
Wood was solid in the Albert Park season-opener, where he donned a Rothmans-style Porsche Centre Brighton scheme, to be running fourth in the points.
He'll trade white and blue for black and green in a fortnight's time at Hidden Valley, where he proved dominant in 2022 with two wins and a second place in the three races.
"The pressure is on to repeat that," Wood told V8 Sleuth.
"It's a good, tight championship. There's probably 10 guys that could do that at any time so hopefully it's my round again and a sign of some good things to come for the next part of the season."
As for his new backing, Wood said: "I've been so fortunate over the years to represent some pretty cool and iconic brands and Shannons is definitely right up there.
PODCAST: Dale Wood, Part 1
PODCAST: Dale Wood, Part 2
"They're a company that have been involved in the Carrera Cup scene for a long time so I'm proud to be flying the flag for them.
"And even with my Dad and a couple of cars he had, the Shannons name was quite present in the early stages of my life so now being aligned with them I'm pretty rapt."
With the season about to pick up pace, Wood believes a form guide is yet to be established - especially given the wet weather which affected the Albert Park round.
"We've often seen people go really well at the Grand Prix and then not so well at other times of the year, so I don't know how much we can take from that," he said.
"I was fortunate enough to come out of there in a good position with a good amount of points but I think the season will definitely take shape in a different way to maybe what the Grand Prix showed."
Wood completed his first laps in a Gen3 Supercar yesterday at Winton in preparation for co-driving for Brad Jones Racing later this year.
Carrera Cup Australia will race in support of the Repco Supercars Championship at the Darwin Triple Crown across June 16-18.
