The NZ Mazda Racing Super Series gets underway this weekend with the opening round of a new national series at OctoberFast at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding.
A healthy grid has been assembled with twenty-four cars expected, including some of the previous year’s frontrunners, along with several rookies joining the fray.
While current National Champion Will Kitching has moved on, that has only opened the door for a number of drivers to battle it out for series honours.
Reigning North Island Champion and runner-up to Kitching in the national series last year, Stu Lawton of Paraparaumu will be one of the favourites this season, but the return of 2022/2023 North Island Champion Rex Edwards of Tauranga will provide him with plenty of competition.
There are plenty of others who will be in the mix, however, including Callum Pratt of Auckland, third in last year’s North Island Series, while two rapid young South Islanders, James Black of Dunedin and Mac Berkett of Nelson, make the trek north to tackle the series.
Another youngster to watch is Aucklander Ajay Giddy. Still classified as a rookie this season, 14-year-old Giddy entered the series late last season and secured some excellent results, including a race win at this venue.
Other rookies are Paige Macey of New Plymouth and Steven Gaskell of Richmond Downs in the Waikato, who have both entered races previously, and newcomers Tomas Climo of Hamilton and Aucklander Rudi Kronstrom.
Also qualifying as a series rookie is Peter Farrell, though he brings an extensive motorsport CV, including a rallying background and IMSA competition in the United States.
There are plenty of other experienced names who will also add to the hard-fought competition with drivers such as Steve Brown, Nigel Edger, Anthony Tork and Elton Wichman, among others, bound to be competitive.
Competitors will face a qualifying session followed by a 10-lap race on Saturday, with the grid determined by qualifying times.
The following day, a 12-lap reverse top ten grid race begins proceedings, followed by a 10-lap finale with a grid determined by points scored to that point in the weekend.
With a revitalised series format and a large grid, the Mazda Racing Super Series promises another season of exhilarating action in 2025/2026.
CALENDAR 2025/2026 NEXEN TYRE MAZDA RACING SUPER SERIES:
- Round 1 – Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, Feilding – 24-26 October 2025
- Round 2 – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, North Waikato – 22-23 November 2025
- Round 3 – Teretonga Park, Invercargill – 23-25 January 2026
- Round 4 – Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell – 30 January -1 February 2026
- Round 5 Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, North Waikato – 14-15 March 2026
- Round 6 – Taupō International Motorsport Park, Taupō – 28-29 March 2026
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
