RYAN Wood’s mentor Greg Murphy has revealed he doesn’t disagree with Broc Feeney’s stance in the number one rivalry that has lit up Supercars.
The duo infamously clashed in last year’s Adelaide Grand Final, where Feeney was ultimately pipped to the championship by Wood’s teammate Chaz Mostert.
The ongoing animosity flared up in the run to Round 1 at Sydney Motorsport Park before simmering, but it was back in the spotlight during some awkward exchanges after Wood and Feeney placed first and second in the recent 60-lap Taupō race.
The pair didn’t converse in victory lane, then somewhat halfheartedly did on the podium. They did however respectfully reference one another on multiple occasions in the post-race press conference.
Murphy was never one to take a backward step in his career – think Bathurst 2005 with Marcos Ambrose – and has a unique perspective given how he is embedded in the Wood camp.
That perhaps made his answer, when pressed on the subject via MotorRacing 360, all the more meaningful.
“We love rivalry stuff. I mean, this is what is going to get more people watching our sport,” said the Kiwi legend.
“I don’t disagree with Broc in his reasons why he’s like this.
“That moment needed to be dealt with very quickly after Adelaide finished. It needed to be a conversation and needed to be dealt with – and it wasn’t.
“I was on the other side of the world, and if I had been there, I would have made sure it was dealt with, because it would have been respectful.
“I’ll be bluntly honest: it disappointed me that it didn’t get dealt with in a better way so that they could move on, regardless of if there was agreement or not.
“And to be fair, I’m sort of liking the fact that there is this thing going on, because it’s great for the sport.
Pic: Ross Gibb
“I’ve got a huge amount of admiration for Broc Feeney. I think he’s just a stunning race car driver. It’s sad what happened to him but that’s finals. He had an engine problem at the end of the day in Adelaide and what happened, happened.”
Murphy also hinted that General Motors had sought out Wood before the 22-year-old recommitted to Walkinshaw TWG Racing on a multi-year extension.
Wood has never been shy of expressing his love for the Walkinshaw team, and that certainly aligned with Murphy’s view.
“I have been very clear with him, if you want me involved, we’re not doing this for the money,” said ‘Murph’.
“We’re doing this because when you’re successful and when you’re happy and when you’re in the right place with the right people, all that stuff comes. It’s organic.”
Wood heads into this weekend’s ITM Christchurch Super440 leading the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy standings.
