{"id":449027,"date":"2026-05-28T06:46:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T06:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/449027\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T06:46:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T06:46:21","slug":"supercars-referee-craig-baird-reprimanded-for-ryan-wood-grub-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/449027\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercars referee Craig Baird reprimanded for Ryan Wood \u2018grub\u2019 comments"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Supercars
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRyan Walkinshaw punches the air as the incident unfolds on the TV screens. Image: Fox Sports<\/p>\n

The Adelaide controversy resurfaced in the lead-up to last weekend\u2019s Tasmania Super440 when Baird opened up to Code Sports on the explosive final race that saw Chaz Mostert score an unlikely title win.<\/p>\n

Mostert\u2019s teammate Wood made contact with Feeney on the opening lap of that final race, tipping the title favourite into a spin to give Mostert the upper hand in the fight for the crown.<\/p>\n

Walkinshaw TWG Racing co-owner Ryan Walkinshaw was seen vigorously celebrating in the garage as Feeney was turned around, fuelling sentiment from both the paddock and the fan base that the contact was strategic.<\/p>\n

While it was unrelated engine problems that ultimately put paid to Feeney\u2019s title hopes, the ugly first-lap incident cast a shadow over Mostert\u2019s triumph, prompted backlash from fans and created a frostiness between Wood and Feeney that remains to this day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everyone knew, including Woody, that he had been a bit of a grub,\u201d Baird told Code Sports last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know when you\u2019ve been a grub, I know when you\u2019ve been a grub\u2026 he knew he had been a grub.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will never admit it, but he was happy, he was happy with his penalty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wood was handed a 15-second penalty for the Feeney contact, but avoided harsher sanctions, such as fines up to $444,000, that had been threatened for any driver that interfered in the title fight.<\/p>\n

Baird\u2019s comments were poorly received by Walkinshaw team management, with CEO Bruce Stewart and Walkinshaw taking Supercars and Motorsport Australia to task over the matter.<\/p>\n

There were meetings between Baird, Stewart, Supercars CEO Barclay Nettlefold and Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby across the Tasmania weekend.<\/p>\n

THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS ON ITS HEAD \ud83d\ude31#RepcoSC<\/a> #Supercars<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SQZ24e6wzM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Supercars (@supercars) November 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Outcomes from those meetings included a reprimand for Baird as well as a public apology issued by Motorsport Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotorsport Australia would like to formally apologise for the comments made by Motorsport Australia-appointed Supercars Driving Standards Advisor (DSA) Craig Baird regarding Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver Ryan Wood,\u201d read the statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese comments constitute a breach of the standards that Motorsport Australia expects of its senior appointed officials.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoreover, any media commentary relating to the individual\u2019s role as a DSA is expressly prohibited under the terms of agreement with Motorsport Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cCraig has been reprimanded for his conduct and served a reminder of his contractual and policy obligations as the DSA.<\/p>\n

\u201cCraig also makes the following apology directly, as well as a full retraction of his comments.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to formally apologise and retract my comments regarding Ryan Wood and the Walkinshaw TWG Racing Team.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018It\u2019s clear that these comments were unacceptable and outside the boundaries of my role.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018I have met with Motorsport Australia to ensure I have a clear understanding moving forward regarding public commentary of this nature and understand that this is not acceptable from the Driving Standards Advisor\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotorsport Australia\u2019s Integrity Team is available for addressing integrity-related concerns within motorsport, in accordance with the National Integrity Framework policies that promote a fair, safe and inclusive environment in motorsport.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeveloped with Sport Integrity Australia, the framework aims to prevent and manage conduct that undermines the values of respect, safety, and fairness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baird said in the Code Sports article that he forecasted Wood\u2019s actions with fellow officials prior to the title deciding race.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually said to the stewards prior to the race, if I was Woody, I am going to throw it up the inside of Broc Feeney no matter what happens, it will be going up the inside at (turn) four or six and it will be on lap one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said it to Leigh Diffey, who was in my office prior to that race. I said it to Michael Masi, I was very vocal about it. I said, \u2018I already know the outcome, I know what is happening\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baird also said he expects such teammate interference in the title fight to happen again under the Grand Final format.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey can say whatever they want because the only consequence has made no difference to Woody\u2019s championship, why wouldn\u2019t they do it? And it will happen again,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t