It is the midway point of the 2025/26 Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series, as Teretonga Park in Invercargill hosts the third round.
Timaru’s Corban Sprague heads into the four-race meeting with a 54-point advantage over last season’s champion Jared Pyke. However, local brothers Bradley and Jeremy Dawson will be hunting for race wins as they did last season.
“I love Teretonga,” said Sprague.
“It requires high commitment, which I love, and momentum is a key. The corners are big and long, so carrying the momentum is important. There’s a super long straight, so getting onto the straight from the last corner is also important.”
Last season at Teretonga Park, Sprague won two races and the round with Jeremy Dawson second, while brother Bradley Dawson and Jared Pyke each took a race win.
Sprague carries momentum from his second-round win at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell a fortnight ago, where he took two race wins. Ben McConochie also won two races and moved up into fourth overall, just 41 points behind third-placed Hamish Evans.
Fifth overall is rookie Ryan Gallagher, who claimed the Rookie of the Round award and voted Star of the Round at Highlands.
“It’s definitely a very competitive season compared with last year,” commented Sprague.
“Everyone has stepped up. I’m enjoying it, and it is pushing me harder.”
Competitors face a qualifying session, which determines the grid for the opening race. A marble draw determines 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.
The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series acknowledges the support from Kumho Tyres, Disc Brakes Australia, HM Auto Electrical, Silvester V8 Performance, and Sign Base.
Header Image: Dave Loudon
