The competition for series points is expected to be quite intense as the Mazda Pro8 New Zealand Series has its third round as part the Trust Aoraki Thunder Down Under Super Truck event at Timaru International Raceway this weekend.
Four races over the two-day event attracting up to 10,000 spectators could well see a shakeup on the overall points table as leader and local driver Jared Pyke looks to defend his lead in the five-round 2024/25 season.
“I’m looking forward to racing on my old home track,” commented Pyke. “It (the track) is tight, so passing opportunities are hard and car set up is crucial. Castrol (corner) is important to get right as it can give you a good passing opportunity on the back straight and into turn four.”
Just 201-points separates the top five contenders with Bradly Dawson 144-points behind Pyke, Hamish Evans in third ahead of Jeremy Dawson and Corban Sprague.
Sprague, also from Timaru, emerged as the round winner at the last outing for the series winning two of the four races at Teretonga Park in Invercargill before Christmas and currently sits fifth on the points table.
“Obviously I love my home track,” said Sprague. “The goal will be to repeat how we went in Invercargill with wins and points for the season. Timaru is technical so getting off Castrol onto back straight is really important and crucial for our class as all cars are identical. If you can get a couple more kms then that sets you up for the straight.”
The Trans-Tasman partnership between Mazda Pro8 New Zealand and Australia’s RX8 Cup sees the series hosting Australian Rob Scott this weekend who will take to the grid in a local car. Scott is not only the New South Wales State champion but the winner of the 2024 RX8 Cup Australia series.
“It was great to host the Kiwis (Jared Pyke, Ben McConochie and Cory Stewart) over here at Eastern Creek (Sydney) back in the spring,” commented Scott. “I’m looking forward to the adventure and meeting everyone at Timaru this weekend. It’s a track I haven’t been to before although I have had a look at a Google aerial view of it. I’m hoping Jared and the boys might give me some local track tips!
“I’m looking forward to driving the car and seeing what the difference is as we run a semi-slick tyre as well as ABS. Its mid-way in their champs so won’t want to interfere with that so we just want to come over and have a lot of fun.”
Joining Scott on the grid will be fellow Australian and RX8 Cup Series Founder Ric Shaw making this third trip to NZ having already competed twice in the Pro8 Series over the last couple of years.
“It is really exciting that we have this international partnership and to also promote the drivers in both series to cross the Tasman and compete in each other’s championships, ” said Shaw.
Qualifying takes place on Saturday morning with two races later in the day followed by two races on Sunday.
The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series acknowledges the support from Kumho Tyres, Disc Brakes Australia, HM Auto Electrical, Silvester v8 Performance, Transform Graphics.
The season also sees a continuation of the Trans-Tasman partnership between the Mazda Pro8 New Zealand Championship and Australia’s RX8 Cup.
