Jared Pyke has retained his Mazda Pro8 New Zealand title after a long hard-fought 2024/25 season battle with rival Corban Sprague. Raced over five rounds in the South Island, Pyke finished just three-points ahead of Sprague for a well-deserved title victory.
“I only just managed to hang on to it,” commented Pyke (main photo). “Corban’s (Sprague) speed has been exceptional all series. It’s just that I have been fortunate enough where he had the DNF in Round 1 and I have been able to have some good luck particularly through some of the reverse-grid races and able to capitalise.
While Sprague won 11/20 races over the five rounds to Pyke’s three, a poor first round at Ruapuna put Sprague on the back foot 246-points behind Pyke and playing catch up. Heading into the final fifth round, Pyke had runs on the board and a 48-point advantage over Sprague.
“He’s outshone us all in his ability and out-right speed,” said Pyke. “I managed to hang on and be consistent. There were only two cars that have finished every race in the series, me and Kaleb Pateman and that just shows what it is all about, getting points under the belt.”
“Disappointed,” said Sprague. “I tried my best but the two dnf’s (retirements) in the first round just cost us. Big congrats to Jared Pyke as he has made it a good season long battle. These things happen in motorsport, and I just have to learn and keep pushing.”
Southland’s Bradley Dawson finished third overall but only just. Heading into the last finale, Dawson appeared to be in a solid position but a top final round from Ben Mcconchie, including his second race victory for the season and two third placings saw a three-point gap between them. Fifth home was Hamish Evans who was also a double race winning back in the opening round.
Ironically Sprague won four of the five rounds but in the end consistency and experience shown through for Pyke. Each round consisted of four eight-lap races with the grid for Race 1 determined by fastest laps in qualifying. Race 2 starting order was from a marble draw with a reverse marble draw setting the grid for Race 3. The final Race 4 grid was determined by points gained over the three preceding races at the round.
“Experience does help, particularly in the marble-draw races,” said Pyke. “Being able to read the drivers ahead and gauge where they are headed and to find the opportunities to pass while keeping a cool and calm head.”
“Qualifying is so important in this class and that’s something I love,” said Sprague. “Going out on a qualifying lap and putting everything on the limit. I’ve gone 5/5 poles this season so that’s been pretty convincing.
“I’ve learned heaps about myself, and the car. In motorsport you need these loses to learn and push yourself forward.”
A highlight of the season was the third round at Timaru International Raceway with two Australian drivers on the grid over the weekend as part of the Trans-Tasman partnership between Mazda Pro8 New Zealand and Australia’s RX8 Cup. The round hosted the winner of the 2024 RX8 Cup Australia series, Rob Scott who joined the grid in a local car as well as RX8 Cup Series Founder Ric Shaw.
The Mazda Pro8 NZ series has had strong competition across the field with large grids all season.
“It will be good to get more of these young guys coming through the series as a feeder to other categories,” said Pyke. “The real advantage (of Mazda Pro8) is the price-point. It sets drivers up well for where they want to get to. Here you drive on a full slick with no ABS braking, no driver aids and you learn raw control from the get-go. It is very beneficial to all drivers.”
The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand series acknowledges the support from Kumho Tyres, Disc Brakes Australia, HM Auto Electrical, Silvester V8 Performance, Transform Graphics.
Mazda Pro8 New Zealand Overall Points
1/ Jared Pyke 2550
2/ Corban Sprague 2547
3/ Bradley Dawson 2199
4/ Ben Mcconochie 2196
5/ Hamish Evans 2127
6/ Sam Knight 1586
7/ Kaleb Pateman 1578
8/ Jeremy Dawson 1560
9/ Cory Stewart 1377
10/ Lincoln Brunton 1323
11/ Micheal Court 1161
12/ Ash Mcconchie 1059
13/ Greg Wilson 984
14/ Simon Wheeler 936
15/ Jeremy Skeggs 879
16/ Kris Mackie 819
17/ Tom Young 633
18/ Brenda Wilson 504
19/ Mal Walters 480
20/ Ric Shaw 450
21/ Robert Scott 426
22/ Beau Cogle 324
23/ Trev Parmenter 267
24/ Flyn Mitchell 240
25/ Sam Wallace 180
Mazda Pro8 New Zealand Team Points
1/ Timaru Racing club (Corban , Kaleb , Linc) 5775
2/ Team BMC (Jared, Ben, Corey, Tom) 5067
3/ Team Need for speed (Hamish, Sam K, Michael C) 4862
4/ Southern most race team (Brad, Jeremy, Jeremy) 4638
5/ KAS Racing (Kris, Ash, Simon) 2799
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