The final round of the 2025/26 Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series takes place at the Super Weekend of Racing at the Euromarque Motorsport Park this weekend in Christchurch. Timaru’s Corban Sprague holds a 228-point lead over Hamish Evans, with last season’s champion, Jared Pyke, in third, just 27 points further back.
“One round to go, and anything can happen. We just need to take it race by race, and we will see how we end up,” said Sprague.
While Sprague has consistently been the quickest in both qualifying and racing across the four rounds held so far, any one of the top three could come away with the title.
“We are looking pretty good for second. I’ve just got to keep the pressure on Corban (Sprague), I think Jared (Pyke) is also in the mix,” said Evans.
“It’s my home track, so hopefully I have a home advantage. I’ve done plenty of laps, and the key is to be smooth.”
Adding to the final four race program is the inclusion of reigning RX8 Cup Series Australian Champion, Stiaan Kriel, who won the Trans-Tasman Driver Prize, made possible through the strengthened relationship between Mazda Pro8 and RX-8 Cup Australia, the aim being to bring elite competition from both sides of the Tasman back onto the same grid.
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing the Pro8 car,” said Kriel.
“No testing and straight into it with a foreign car is exactly the kind of challenge I enjoy. To do it at Ruapuna, against the best Pro8 drivers in New Zealand, and as part of the Euromarque Super Weekend, makes it even better.”
Competitors face qualifying on Saturday morning, which determines the grid for the opening race. A marble draw sets the grid for Race 2, with a reverse marble draw for Race 3.
The highest points from the three races then determine the grid for the final Race 4.
“I’ve gone quite strong there in the past with this car, so looking forward to getting back there. It is always a good passing track with plenty of opportunities, so I look forward to it,” said Sprague.
The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series acknowledges the support from Kumho Tyres, Disc Brakes Australia, HM Auto Electrical, Silvester V8 Performance, and Sign Base.
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Mazda Pro 8 New Zealand Points after 4/5 rounds
- Corban Sprague 2244
- Hamish Evans 2016
- Jared Pyke 1989
- Ryan Gallagher 1629
- Kaleb Pateman 1572
- Sam Knight 1413
- Lincoln Brunton 1365
- Oakley West 1350
- Ben McConochie 1287
- Luke Casey 1158
- Jeremy Dawson 1065
- Bradley Dawson 741
- Michael Court 693
- James Smith 441
- Jeremy Skeggs 423
2025/26 Mazda Pro8 New Zealand Calendar
- Round 1: 1 Nov 2025 – Timaru International Raceway, Timaru
- Round 2: 22 Nov 2025 – Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell
- Round 3: 6-7 Dec 2025 – Teretonga Park, Invercargill
- Round 4: 31 Jan-1 Feb 2026 – Timaru International Raceway, Timaru
- Round 5: 7-8 March 2026 – Euromarque Motorsport Park, Christchurch
Header Image: Dave Loudon
