Sprague extends lead, Evans moves into second at Mazda Pro8 NZ round in Timaru

Corban Sprague has extended his lead in the Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series after the penultimate round held at the Thunder Down Under meeting in Timaru over the weekend. He now has a 228-point advantage over Hamish Evans, who moves into second, just 27 points ahead of last season’s champion, Jared Pyke, in third.

“Happy and super stoked to come away with some race wins over the weekend,” commented Sprague.

“The car has been amazing to drive, and I have really enjoyed myself.”

Top Rookie Ryan Gallagher has moved up into fourth ahead of Kaleb Pateman, who scored his first podium (second) for the season in Race 2. In sixth overall is Sam Knight, moving up from ninth after a consistent points-scoring round, including a podium second place in Race 3.

Qualifying on Saturday morning saw Ben McConochie set the fastest lap, just 0.103 seconds back to Sprague, with Pyke third, followed by Knight, Gallagher, Pateman and Evans.

Sprague proved quick off the line to win the 8-lap race from McConochie with Pyke third.

In the Marble-Draw Race 2, Evans took advantage of a high grid position, taking the win from Pateman and Gallagher.

“We have had a pretty good weekend considering we had a tough qualifying,” said Evans.

 “We just didn’t get the setup nailed and qualified back in the back. We just chipped away forward over the weekend. My dad and I have been working so hard on the car, so it’s good to bounce back with a result.

“The win was good, lucky I was off the front in the ‘marble’ (draw race). For the reverse marble (race) we just had to get through the chaos, and we got a decent result (sixth). It’s a very competitive field, and everyone plays for keeps. You must be on the ball all the time and cannot make a mistake.”

Sprague took his second win in Race 3 from Knight and McConochie. The final Race 4 Round Points Grid had Sprague off the front, and there was no stopping him crossing the line nine seconds ahead of Evans, with Knight third ahead of Gallagher and Pyke.

The final round of the 2026 season takes place in Christchurch on 7-8 March 2026.  

“One round to go and anything can happen,” said Sprague.

“We just need to take it race by race, and we will see how we end up.”

The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series acknowledges the support from Kumho Tyres, Disc Brakes Australia, HM Auto Electrical, Silvester V8 Performance, and Sign Base.

Mazda Pro 8 New Zealand Points after 4/5 rounds:

1. Corban Sprague 2244
2. Hamish Evans 2016
3. Jared Pyke 1989
4. Ryan Gallagher 1629
5. Kaleb Pateman 1572
6. Sam Knight 1413
7. Lincoln Brunton 1365
8. Oakley West 1350
9. Ben McConochie 1287
10. Luke Casey 1158
11. Jeremy Dawson 1065
12. Bradley Dawson 741
13. Michael Court 693
14. James Smith 441
15. Jeremy Skeggs 423

Race Results:

Race 1 (8 laps)

1. Corban Sprague
2. Ben McConochie
3. Jared Pyke
4. Sam Knight
5. Hamish Evans
6. Ryan Gallagher
7. Oakley West
8. Lincoln Brunton
9. Michael Court
10. Kaleb Pateman
11. Luke Casey
12. Mal Walters
13. DNF Dean Van Buuren

Race 2 (8 laps – Marble Draw)

1. Hamish Evans
2. Kaleb Pateman
3. Ryan Gallagher
4. Corban Sprague
5. Lincoln Brunton
6. Sam Knight
7. Luke Casey
8. Michael Court
9. Oakley West
10. Ben McConochie
11. Jared Pyke
12. Mal Walters
13. Dean Van Buuren

Race 3 (8-laps – Reverse marble draw)

1. Corban Sprague
2. Sam Knight
3. Ben McConochie
4. Ryan Gallagher
5. Jared Pyke
6. Hamish Evans
7. Michael Court
8. Oakley West
9. Luke Casey
10. Lincoln Brunton
11. Kaleb Pateman
12. Mal Walters
13. Dean Van Buuren

Race 4 (8-laps – Round Points Grid)  

1. Corban Sprague
2. Hamish Evans
3. Sam Knight
4. Ryan Gallagher
5. Jared Pyke
6. Kaleb Pateman
7. Ben McConochie
8. Oakley West
9. Lincoln Brunton
10. Michael Court
11. Luke Casey
12. Dean Van Buuren
13. DNF Mal Walters

Header Image: Enuff Photography