15 Dec 2020 Accidents galore as Li Zheng-Peng wins both rounds of ZIC Superbike Race

Zhuhai International Circuit

On 12-13 December, 2020 Zhuhai Motorsports Association Club Race Round 3 Week 2 races are held at Zhuhai International Circuit. It is the grand finale of the year. All the big name riders are here. They are riding Yamaha R1, R6, BMW HP4 and Kawasaki ZX6R, ZX10R etc for a high end battle.

On 13 December, the two rounds of ZIC Superbike Race commences. In the end, Monster Energy Yamaha China #26 Li Zheng-Peng wins both races with something to spare.

ZIC Superbike Race 1

For the first race in the morning, it is 10 laps long with 35 riders taking part. At 11am, the race starts right on time. Pole position starter #26 Li Zheng-Peng is unable to hold on to his advantage, #9 Huang Shi-Zhao and #21 Ma Sai catapult to first and second. But then at T4 #21 Ma Sai falls off, the race officials show the yellow flag and then the oil flag, but the race continues.

On lap 3, Li Zheng-Peng continuously put pressure on Huang Shi-Zhao, then overtakes at T4. But as the yellow flag was still on display, overtaking is forbidden, so Li Zheng-Peng gave up the lead position for Huang Shi-Zhao. On lap 4, Li Zheng-Peng makes his move once again and is back on top. By now #99 Jack Ao Ieong Fu is up to 9th place from his last place starting position.

At half distance, the top 3 are #26 Li Zheng-Peng, #9 Huang Shi-Zhao, #2 Yuan Ji-Bo. At T12, #22 Sha Jun-Tong falls off at the side of the corner. The race officials immediately shows the red flag to stop the race.

At 11:28, the race resumes. Huang Shi-Zhao once again makes a better start than Li Zheng-Peng to take the lead. Jack Ao Ieong-Fu also moves up to 5th place. One of the riders ride his bike through the T7 gravel then gets back on track. The race officials show the yellow flag. On lap 7, another rider rides off into the gravel at T9, but the race continues. By now Li Zheng-Peng is back in the lead once more.

On the last lap, Li Zheng-Peng wins the race by 4.015 seconds. Jack Ao Ieong-Fu keeps the pressure on Yuan Ji-Bo for third place but to no avail. The top 3 overall are #26 Li Zheng-Peng, #9 Huang Shi-Zhao and #2 Yuan Ji-Bo.

In the various classes, Open class top 3 are Monster Energy Yamaha China #26 Li Zheng-Peng, Shi Zhao Racing #9 Huang Shi-Zhao, Titanic Kawasaki Racing #2 Yuan Ji-Bo. CL1 class top 3 are Titanic Kawasaki Racing #17 Lin Zhi-Fei, Monster Energy Yamaha China #777 Li Zong, Jim777y Racing #79 Li Hai-Bo. CL2 class top 3 are Jim777y Racing #19 Chen Hong-Yan, Shi Zhao Racing #36 Jiang Zhuo-Ran, FS.D Da Chong Racing #66 Ou Jian-Bin. CL3 class top 3 Jim777y Racing #41 Zhou Pei-Ran. Shi Zhao Racing #911 Jia Rui, Jisu Racing #15 Ma Jun-Bo.

ZIC Superbike Race 2

At 14:10, ZIC Superbike Race 2 is held. The starting grid is set according to the fastest laps set in the morning race. The top 4 are Li Zheng-Peng, Jack Ao Ieong Fu, Huang Shi-Zhao and Yuan Ji-Bo. At the start, Huang Shi-Zhao takes off and moves into the lead. Li Zheng-Peng and Jack Ao Ieong Fu follow closely behind.

On lap 2, two bikes clash at T1, then #12 rides off into the gravel at T11. The race officials show the red flag to stop the race. At 14:28 the race is resumed and is reduced to 6 laps. At the second start, Li Zheng-Peng and Huang Shi-Zhao exchange the lead and the gap among the top 3 is small. Then on the next lap Li Zheng-Peng re-overtake Huang Shi-Zhao and begins to pull away, setting a 1:34.618 fastest lap in the process. 

Two laps from the end, Li Zheng-Peng slowly extends his lead, #22 Sha Jun-Tong also successfully overtakes #19 Chen Hong-Yan to lead CL2 class. On the last lap, Li Zheng-Peng crosses the finish line to win, Huang Shi-Zhao and Jack Ao Ieong Fu are fighting over second place, taking turns to lead each other, in the end, Huang Shi-Zhao successfully guards the place and takes second by 0.125 second. Jack Ao Ieong Fu finishes in third place.

In the various classes, Open class top 3 are Monster Energy Yamaha China #26 Li Zheng-Peng, Shi Zhao Racing #9 Huang Shi-Zhao, Titanic Kawasaki Racing #99 Jack Ao Ieong Fu. CL1 class top 3 are Titanic Kawasaki Racing #17 Lin Zhi-Fei, Monster Energy Yamaha China #777 Li Zong, Jim777y Racing #79 Li Hai-Bo. CL2 top 3 are Titanic Kawasaki Racing #22 Sha Jun-Tong, Jim777y Racing #19 Chen Hong-Yan, FS.D Da Chong Racing #66 Ou Jian-Bin. CL3 class top 3 are Shi Zhao Racing #911 Jia Rui, Jisu Racing #15 Ma Jun-Bo, Jim777y Racing #41 Zhou Pei-Ran. 

After the race, double race winner Li Zheng-Peng said, “This is the first time this year that I have raced in Zhuhai International Circuit’s races. This is also the last big race of the year. I am very happy I took victories in both races. I want to thank my team especially because they gave me great support. Next year I will continue to take part in Pan Delta Superbike races, I hope to become an even better rider.” Second overall in both races, Huang Shi-Zhao said, “This year due to the pandemic, this was the first time I took part in such a big race, I had fun in both races today, I really enjoyed them, after a race long battle it felt really great. I also rode the BMW H4 for the first time, I felt myself and the bike have rooms for improvement. Next year undoubtedly I will continue to take part in this highest level of superbike race series nationally. It is really great.” Yuan Ji-Bo, first round overall third placed finisher, said, “This is the first time I take part in this class of superbike race. So for me the most important thing is to get familiar with the bike and do quick laps. The main aim for me was to follow and learn. I am very happy to finish on the podium.” Jack Ao Ieong Fu, second round overall third placed finisher, said, “In the first race, I had a problem starting, in the second race I had a good run and finished third, so I am very happy. I learned a lot from my seniors, hopefully next year I can improve my performance.”