A late entry for the opening round of the 2026/27 Mazda Pro8 New Zealand Series saw the return of last season’s champion Corban Sprague at Levels Raceway in Timaru over the weekend. The Timaru local first set the fastest lap in qualifying and then went on to win all four races over the Pateman’s Lighthouse opening round. Second for the round was Kaleb Pateman with Sam Knight third ahead of Ryan Gallagher and Oakley West.
“I couldn’t have asked for much more,” commented Sprague. “It is great to be back behind the wheel racing door to door again!
“We only entered on Wednesday with our plans going forward at the moment not so certain. It gave me an opportunity to race and get some seat time, so a big thanks to Dad as the car was mint!”
Pateman kept improving over the weekend moving up the order in each race and finishing the last two on the podium. His efforts saw him awarded with the Star of the Round.
“What an action-packed weekend of racing,” said Pateman! “Some incredibly close and tight battles right across the field, making for an awesome start to the season.
“Absolutely stoked to come away with second overall for the round. Congratulations to Corban for taking win and to Sam (Knight) for rounding out the podium in third.”
The opening Race 1 saw quite a battle between Sprague and Knight, finishing in that order with West third followed by Jacob Cunniffe, Ryan Gallagher and Pateman.
It was advantage to Sprague and Knight in the Marble-draw grid Race two, starting second and third. They continued their battle with Sprague taking the lead early and crossing the line ahead of Knight, Lincoln Brunton, Pateman and Gallagher.
For the Reverse Marble Draw Race 3, both Sprague and Knight then needed to work their way through the field after starting near the rear.
“I got a good start and chipped my way to the lead,” said Sprague. “It was about maximising what we had, particularly getting through the field on cold tyres.”
Sprague took his third win this time with Pateman second ahead of Cunniffe, who missed Race 2 due to a mechanical. Fourth was Knight then West and Tatom.
The final Race 4 grid was determined by points scored in the first three races. Sprague managed to gap the field, winning the race after rival Knight appeared to suffer a mechanical. Second was Gallagher ahead of Pateman and Cunniffe.
“After the race start, I got into P2 but then on the main straight the car started moving all over the track and was super loose,” commented Knight. “I came in and found out we had a broken suspension arm so carried on and just circulated for points. All and all pretty stoked to finish third overall for the weekend.”
Oscar Tatom finished sixth for the weekend and picked up the Rookie of the Round Award. The Veteran of the round went to Jeremy Skeggs who sits ninth overall.
Teretonga Park in Invercargill hosts the second round (5-6 December 2026) before the Christmas break.
The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series acknowledges the support from Kumho Tyres, DBA Disc Brakes Australia, HM Auto Electrical, Silvester V8 Performance, Sign Base, Straight 8 Estate and Auto Gas Specialists.
