All to play for at final Mazda Pro8 round in Christchurch

The final round of the 2025/26 Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series takes place at the Super Weekend of Racing at the Euromarque Motorsport Park this weekend in Christchurch. Timaru’s Corban Sprague holds a 228-point lead over Hamish Evans with last season’s champion, Jared Pyke in third just 27-points further back.

“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.”

While Sprague has consistently been the quickest in both qualifying and racing across the four rounds held so far, anyone of the top three could come away with the title.

“We are looking pretty good for second,” said Evans. “I’ve just got to keep the pressure on Corban (Sprague) I think Jared (Pyke) is also in the mix.

“It’s my home track so hopefully I have a home advantage. I’ve done plenty of laps and the key is to be smooth.”

Adding to the final four race program is the inclusion of reigning RX8 Cup Series Australian Champion, Stiaan Kriel who won the Trans-Tasman Driver Prize, made possible through the strengthened relationship between Mazda Pro8 and RX-8 Cup Australia, the aim being to bring elite competition from both sides of the Tasman back onto the same grid.

“I’m really looking forward to experiencing the Pro8 car,” said Kriel. “No testing and straight into it with a foreign car is exactly the kind of challenge I enjoy. To do it at Ruapuna, against the best Pro8 drivers in New Zealand, and as part of the Euromarque Super Weekend, makes it even better.”

Competitors face qualifying on Saturday morning which determines the grid for the opening race. A marble draw sets the grid for Race 2 with a reverse marble draw Race 3 grid. Highest points from the three races then determine the grid for the final Race 4.

“I’ve gone quite strong there in the past with this car so looking forward to getting back there,” said Sprague. “It is always a good passing track with plenty of opportunities, so I look forward to it.”

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