Mazda Racing Series champion Callum Pratt is set to make the step into V8 racing when he joins the New Zealand TA2 Championship for Round 2 at Taupō Motorsport Park next weekend.
Fresh from a successful season that saw him claim the Mazda championship title, Pratt is preparing for a new challenge behind the wheel of a TA2 race car, trading the familiar characteristics of his Mazda for the power and performance of the TA2 V8 machine.
Taupo will see him line up in a Challenger-bodied TA2 car.
Pratt says his championship-winning campaign has provided a strong foundation for the next stage of his racing career.
“It was a really competitive season, and to come away with the championship was pretty special. I learnt a lot throughout the year, and I think that experience has helped me develop a lot as a driver both on and off track,” said Pratt.
“Winning the championship has given me the confidence to take the next step in my racing, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how I get on in TA2.”
While Pratt has already had a brief taste of TA2 machinery, his experience is limited to just 10 laps, meaning the Taupō weekend will provide his first real opportunity to get to grips with the car in a competitive environment.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a short run in a TA2 car previously, although it was only around 10 laps, so I’ve still got plenty to learn!
“It’s definitely a completely different experience to the Mazda. The biggest thing I noticed was the power and torque from the V8, but the whole car feels very different to drive. It moves a lot more on the sidewall of the tyre and feels like a proper race car because it’s so raw.”
Taupō Motorsport Park is familiar territory for Pratt, although he acknowledges that tackling the circuit in a TA2 car will present an entirely different challenge.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Taupō. It’s a great circuit with a good mix of corners and different track surfaces that add to the challenge. It’s definitely a track where it’s difficult to string the perfect lap together.
Despite his limited experience in the category, Pratt is determined to make an impression and has set himself the goal of progressing towards the more experienced competitors as the weekend unfolds.
“Obviously, as a driver, you always want to be competitive, and I’ll be pushing to get the best result I can. I know there’s going to be a lot to learn, but I’m not going there just to make up the numbers.
“The main goal is to get comfortable in the car as quickly as possible and keep improving throughout the weekend, so hopefully come Sunday I can be challenging some of the more experienced drivers in the field.”
With the New Zealand TA2 Championship continuing to attract drivers from a range of racing backgrounds, Pratt’s arrival adds another promising talent to the field.
Round two of the TA2 NZ Championship gets underway at Taupō Motorsport Park Nov 13-15.
Header Photo: Supplied
