September 09, 2012
Published on tags: Superleague
It is fair to say that Woods Racing have not had the season they expected when they paraded the WR12 in front of the media in early March. The team's tenth season in racing has found them a disappointing 9th in the Constructors Championship, their worst for a long time and certainly a far cry from what has been called their "banner years", 2009 and 2010, where the team finished as runners up. Driver errors, a disqualification and an influx of fast new drivers have been among the reasons touted by expert pundits, as well as setup issues.

This has led to rumours intensifying along the paddock as to the future of one driver in particular, the Irishman Kieran Ryan. Ryan has had a tough season, scoring just four points so far in his campaign. This coupled with his frustration with politics outside the cockpit has led to people questioning whether the GPVWC stalwart will remain in the league - and whether his team will give him the chance to do so. Paddock sleuths and pitlane reporters alike have questioned Ryan's motivation after being beaten by his teammate so far this season, especially after a spin cost him points at the German Grand Prix.

Woods Racing team principal Ollie Woods held a hurried press conference in a hotel in Elstree, Hertfordshire, where key team personnel were relaxing before preparing for the next race at Road America. He addressed the situation:

"It's clear that Kieran has been frustrated by his results this year, and naturally we are frustrated for him too. We know his calibre after three years in partnership and it's a shame that things haven't quite added up for him. However, he has turned a corner recently and is scoring points now, an achievement considering that we are concentrating our development efforts on next year's car.

"It's too early for us to discuss Kieran's future at Woods. This season is nowhere near finished and I know from previous experience that Kieran will decide when the time is right for him - we hadn't confirmed his contract for this season until about a month before the season started as he was still considering his options. Kieran has proved himself to be a massive part of the Woods team and we will respect whatever decision he takes, whenever he takes it. Suffice to say he will always be welcome here in whatever capacity."

As is the custom, rumours are rife as to the identity of any potential replacement. The most fervent - and possibly the most hyperbolic - rumours surround two previous Woods drivers, Dave Carr-Smith and Philip Cullen, as well as the team's existing drivers. Woods had this to say:

"To be linked with a driver such as Dave Carr-Smith is obviously very flattering given the way he's performed recently. It would be brilliant to finish what we started in 2009 before we were so rudely interrupted by a team called CSG! If we were to have a vacancy I'm sure that DCS would be at the top of our shortlist, as he would with any serious team. Phil Cullen would also be a great signing - we've always got along well and it would be nice to provide him with a car that doesn't leave him swearing! However, no formal negotiations have been opened with anybody at this time. We do hope to retain Boyd Bryson as our reserve driver at the very least, and while rule changes frustratingly make it impossible for us to enter the Supercup next year we hope to find a team to partner with so that Boyd can push towards the top of that league should he choose to."

The future of Woods's other race driver, Tom Parker, has never really been subject to any rumours. The young man from Swindon joined the team for this season and immediately impressed, finishing sixth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and despite some rough moments and frustrations currently lies twelfth in the Driver's Championship. Woods had this to say about Parker:

"I am pleased to announce that, following negotiations this week, Tom Parker will be in the team once again for 2013. At the moment this is expected to be in a race seat. We're really pleased with Tom's progress this season and while he still has yet to fulfil his true potential we have worked on his pace and his temperament and he is definitely going to be a title contender in the years to come."

At this point Tom Parker walked out to cheers from the surrounding press crowd, with some girls sat in the lobby screaming and crying. He had this to say:

"I'm looking forward to a second year here at Woods Racing. Having had what I felt what was a productive season here, I am looking forward to further improving myself in the team and in racing as a whole. Signing on was a no brainer for myself and I want to thank Ollie for showing his faith in me through the season by signing me on for another one."