A fourth-generation Timaru racing driver is continuing to add to his family’s motorsport legacy.
At 18 years old, Corban Sprague is following in the wheel tracks of his greatgrandfather Ernie, grandfather Wayne and dad Peter after completing his first race of the Toyota TR86 Trophy Series.
To compete in the series Sprague outperformed 40 applicants and won a hotly contested eight-man shootout last month to secure himself a scholarship and a seat in the CareVets TR86 car.
The series opener took place on May 9-10 at Hampton Downs and Sprague quickly demonstrated his ability.
He finished fourth in qualifying, followed by a third place finish in race one which was then promoted to a second due to a jump start up front and an unfortunate fifth place in the final race after his car was used as a ‘‘brake marker’’ by a fellow driver leading to him spinning out.
Sprague said that racing was just in his blood.
‘‘I’ve grown up around it since I was a toddler, so it was always going to be a matter of when I start, not if.
‘‘It’s pretty special to carry the family name in motorsport and there’s not many people that can say they are a fourth-generation racer in New Zealand. It’s pretty cool.’’
He said there was a bit of pressure from his family name but it did not really bother him.
‘‘I’m a pretty relaxed person to be fair and I just get on with the job that’s at hand.’’
Before receiving the scholarship for the Toyota series, Sprague had made a name for himself racing in the Mazda Pro 8 New Zealand series.
He said heading into the first round of the Toyota series, it was the least prepared he had been for a race meeting.
‘‘The scholarship was really late in the piece, which didn’t leave us any time to get up there and do some testing in the car.
‘‘My first proper go in the car was the Friday of the meeting and it was raining.’’
He said his first dry run in the car was Saturday’s qualifier.
‘‘I did all my preparation outside the car with the fitness side but on the driving side I was a little less prepared than I would have liked but it is what it is.
‘‘I just kept chipping along and got on with it.’’
It was a positive start to the series, he said.
‘‘I think going forward I learned a lot over the weekend.
‘‘I’ve got a great crew coaching and mentoring me through it and I’m happy with how I went.
‘‘I enjoyed it, I’ll just keep working behind the scenes and we’ll do the best we can going into Taupo in five weeks.’’
He said he did not go into it with high expectations, but felt getting a podium in his first race was pretty good.
‘‘I just thought if I could be in the top three, top five I’d be happy and we did that.
‘‘It’s all time and mileage, I think we’re looking pretty good.’’
The goal was to win the series, he said.
‘‘There’s quite a big prize up for grabs, which is a potential opportunity to jump up to the inaugural GR86 championship next season.
‘‘Whoever wins the series will have the same scholarship deal that I’ve got for this series getting into the GR86.
‘‘You can’t win it in the first round, so I’ve just got to keep chipping away and putting my best foot forward and hopefully we’ll come out with a good result.’’
He said his ultimate goal was to get over to Australia and make it into the V8 Supercars competition.
‘‘But at present time I’m just going to keep doing the best I can in the series and car that I’m racing and see where I end up.’’
Sprague said he was very appreciative of everyone who had helped him get to this point.
‘‘I’m just very grateful for this opportunity and I can’t, can’t thank everyone enough that’s helped me get to this point.
‘‘It doesn’t happen without the help of those people.’’
The four round series continues with round two at Taupō International Motorsport Park on June 21-22, followed by a trip to Manfeild on July 5-6 and a return to Taupo for the final round on July 26-27.
