A fourth generation Timaru racing driver is continuing to push the limits in search of national glory.
Corban Sprague, 18, is competing in the Toyota TR86 Trophy Series after securing a seat in the CareVets car via a scholarship.
After a successful first round outing in May, he returned to the track late last month for round two in Taupō.
Sprague immediately showed off his skills picking up P1, P3 and P2 in the three practice sessions ahead of qualifying.
After qualifying fifth, he battled away to pick up fourth place in both main races and now also sits fourth in the overall series standings with two rounds to go.
Sprague said it was another positive weekend.
‘‘It wasn’t the overall result I had hoped for but I think we showed some great signs heading into the next couple of rounds. There were some great lessons learnt, obviously I want to be winning but it’s still great learning.
‘‘Practice went really well, we rolled out off the trailer and the car was really fast.
‘‘In qualifying, we all go out on a new set of tyres and I just didn’t maximise that new tyre as well as everyone else which sort of cost me for the races.
‘‘We had really good speed in the races, being one of the fastest, but with the cars being identical, if you don’t qualify well it makes it really hard to pass. I put myself in that bad place, I’ve learned from it and I’ll make sure I’m not doing it again.’’
He said it was his first time racing on the big track at the Taupō International Motorsport Park.
‘‘I’ve driven around the smaller track, but that was my first time on the big track, I really enjoyed it.
‘‘It’s quite a big, long track compared to what I’m used to.
‘‘It flowed really well and it’s got quite a bit of undulation, so I really enjoyed it in the Toyota 86.’’
After previously racing in the Mazda Pro 8 New Zealand series, the Toyota car was still taking a little bit to adjust to, he said.
‘‘It’s taken a bit more than I would have liked to be honest. It’s very different to the Mazda, so I’m having to try and get all my bad habits I learnt in it out and concentrate on the good things in the 86.
‘‘I’m starting to, and more mileage helps me get closer to where I like to be in it.
‘‘There’s still a couple of thing I need to improve on, but it’s all looking promising.’’
Sprague will turn his attention to Manfeild next weekend for round three and said it was a track he was very much looking forward to racing on.
‘‘I’ve driven around there once but I’ve never raced it. I had a good first impression of the track.
‘‘It’s quite an old school track, like Levels raceway, which I’m used to. It’s a real flowy, high-commitment track which I’m really looking forward to.
‘‘The goal is always to battle out for wins and podiums, so I’ve just got to execute in qualifying and the other areas and hopefully we’ll be able to do that.’’
The action at Manfeild will take place on July 5-6 before a return to Taupō for the final round on July 26-27.
