Lea Wood heaps praise on team for Toyota repair job

Lea Wood has heaped praise on his JWT Performance team after their hard work to repair his Toyota Avensis in time for this weekend’s action at Silverstone.

Wood was involved in a huge accident with Warren Scott’s Volkswagen CC in the first race at Rockingham, causing huge rear-end damage to the Avensis and putting the Jack Sears Trophy champion out of action for the rest of the day.

But the team’s hard work has ensured the Avensis is present at Silverstone, and looking as good as new. Wood posted the 22nd and 24th fastest times in the two free practice sessions.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Wood said: “The team have done a huge amount of work. We had a lot of damage, but looking at it, you wouldn’t even know.

“We had the whole rear end off it, but we’re very lucky it didn’t touch the cage. We just cut everything off behind it, and put a new rear back on.

“Where you don’t want weight there was some weight, so we’ve managed to take a few bits and pieces out.”

Wood said the start of the weekend acted as a test for the team, and says he’s confident the characteristics of the Avensis could aid him at Silverstone.

“First practice was our shakedown, as we didn’t manage to have one. With the sleek shape and the slightly longer wheelbase, I hope it may help us a bit here,” he added.