FIRST-TIME WORLD FINAL WINNER WOOD PROMISES MORE PACE
Champion says less pressure means he could land more silver ware in the future
New National Hot Rod World champion Billy Wood says lifting the biggest title of his career could make him even faster in the future.
The Vauxhall Tigra driver inherited the lead in the 75-lap World Final at Ipswich on Sunday after rival Glenn Bell retired with a jammed throttle later on in the event. Wood fended off attention from former world champions John Christie and Chris Haird to claim the trophy.
“It was a long race,” said Wood, who also won the English points championship this season. “I was pacing myself because I knew Glenn had gone up front. He was very quick and I was quite happy to settle for second position, because that would still have been my best result in the World Final. I was under a bit of pressure from Christie and Rob Mcdonald, but I was driving within myself because I have been there before: you push hard and things can start to go awry.
“When I saw Glenn pulling off, it was an amazing feeling.”
As part of his prize package for winning the World Final, Wood will now get a drive in the South African Hot Rod series in August. “I have raced out there before, about seven years ago,” said Wood. “I will certainly look forward to that. It is going to be interesting now, because the pressure is off me a little bit – my driving will probably be more relaxed and who knows? I might even get a bit faster.”