Pratt takes drama filled Mazda Racing Super Series round

The stage is set for an epic finale after the latest round of action in the 2025/2026 Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in North Waikato this weekend.

Callum Pratt of Auckland took the top step of the podium this weekend by the barest of margins from fourteen-year-old Ajay Giddy of Silverdale and James Black of Dunedin. The results mean that Giddy and Stu Lawton of Paraparaumu who finished fourth overall this weekend head to the final round at Taupō in two weeks locked on 512 points with Pratt just four points behind.

Twenty-seven cars started the weekend at Hampton Downs with Pratt setting the fastest time in an ultra-close qualifying on Saturday morning. He was just .036 of a second ahead of Black. Rex Edwards of Tauranga was next ahead of Giddy, an impressive Mark Oudney of Auckland and series leader Lawton. Sam Dashfield of Auckland was next followed by Bryan Walker (Christchurch), Tomas Climo of Hamilton, Simon Baker of Kapiti and Aucklanders Alex Canty and Rudi Kronstrom, the fastest twelve cars all within a second of the pole time.

Pratt led virtually all the way in the ten-lap race on Saturday afternoon with Giddy chasing him hard all the way until near the end when the pair had a coming together. Pratt held on to cross the line first with Lawton coming through to second with Black third. Edwards was fourth ahead of Giddy who came home fifth with a flat tyre. Dashfield, Oudney, Kronstrom and Canty were next with Walker rounding out the top ten. Simon Baker retired with engine issues while Paige Macey of New Plymouth and Marc Denton of Christchurch clashed with Denton losing his bumper. The incident between Pratt and Giddy was investigated with the result only officially declared on Sunday morning.

The top ten reverse grid race on Sunday morning produced more action. Kronstrom was quickly into the lead from Walker and Giddy before Giddy took over on lap 3. The race was suspended on lap 4 after Peter Farrell hit the armco at Turn 1 necessitating a lengthy repair. After a long delay the race restarted with Giddy in front initially before Edwards got through to the lead on lap 8 holding on to win by .298 of a second from Giddy, Kronstrom, Pratt, Black, Lawton and Baker who put in a storming drive from the back of the grid. Canty, Oudney and Climo rounded out the top ten while both Walker and Anthony Tork had spins during the race. Both Dashfield and fellow Aucklander Elton Wichman were non starters due to compression issues.

Giddy won the third and final race from Pratt with Black third. Edwards was fourth ahead of Lawton, who collected more valuable points. Baker was next followed by Oudney, Climo, Kronstrom and Walker. Tork had another spin as did Alex Canty who salvaged seventeenth place.

Giddy also took Rookie Honours this weekend and Nigel Edger of Hamilton the Masters (Over 50) bragging rights. Phil Clemas leads the overall Masters Title chase by nine points from his fellow Aucklander Steve Brown heading to the final round which takes place over the weekend of 28-29 March at Taupō International Motorsport Park.