Auckland driver Callum Pratt has become the 2025/2026 Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series Champion.
The series concluded at Taupō International Motorsport Park on 29 March with Pratt initially the runner-up in the series behind fourteen-year-old Ajay Giddy of Silverdale with Stu Lawton of Paraparaumu third. However, since that final round a lot has unfolded with Giddy’s original points total severely impacted and Pratt declared the champion.
After the final round the diffs of the top three in the series were checked by the series Scrutineer. Those checks revealed that the diff in Giddy’s car had been incorrectly assembled due to differential plate stacking.
Initially a $100 fine was issued by the Clerk of the Course but that decision was challenged and a hearing resulted in Giddy losing all his series points from 23 November 2025 onwards, the day after the diff was sealed. He was also issued a $500 fine.
That ensured 19-year-old Pratt, who is based in Whenuapai in Auckland where he works for series sponsor MRC building racing simulators, was crowned the 2025/2026 Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series Champion two months after the season was completed.
Pratt ended the series with 639 points after the adjustments ahead of Lawton (613). The outcome has also seen Alex Canty move to third overall in the final series points while James Black of Dunedin moves to fourth overall, also taking the Rookie Of The Year title from Tomas Climo of Hamilton and Paige Macey of New Plymouth after Giddy originally took that title as well.
While Pratt is very pleased to have won the title, he says, “It was not exactly the way I wanted to win it – no one does. It is unfortunate what happened. However, to see my name on the trophy and to look at all the other names on the trophy and to see what many of them have gone on to it is really pleasing.
“It was a fantastic year with three possible winners going into the final round, all of us virtually equal. That proved just how strong the series is. It is a forever growing series.”
Pratt also gave big thanks to his team, sponsors and supporters. He and his team will now take time to consider their options for next season.
Series Chairman, Steven Spear says, “The outcome is really disappointing for Ajay, he’s an exceptional driver and I know he’ll go far. As a series our technical rules are important and must be followed. I am happy for Callum, Stu, Alex and James who are all positively affected by the change and we’re happy to crown our champions and start looking forward to next season”.
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