16 Sep 2012 Fastest lap changed hands 5 times as Huang Shi-Zhao wins championship

Pan Delta Superbike Championship Race 2

At 1:20pm on 16 September 2012, Pan Delta Super Racing Festival begins its afternoon races. After the mid-day festivities including Drifting, VIP circuit hot laps and numerous entertainment activites by Red Bull, Budweiser, Langjiu, Audi and Michelin in the merchandizing area, the entire Zhuhai International Circuit is high with motorsport fever.

Similar to the morning schedule, the afternoon kicks off once again with ZIC Superbikes. Pretty girls and superbikes appear on the race grid and their presence raises the atmosphere in the grandstand. VIP pass holders are able to get on the race grid to meet and have their pictures taken with the riders and Race Queens, this is not commonly available at other motorsport events.

At 1:30pm, the formation lap begins. Pole sitter is Dan Kruger, besides him is Huang Shi-Zhao with Li Zheng-Peng on the right. Dan Kruger was the winner in the morning but Huang Shi-Zhao has a good chance to win. Li Zheng-Peng is the best performer among the remaining riders.

The red lights go off and the race begins. At turn 1, Dan Kruger keeps his lead ahead of Huang Shi-Zhao. In the pack, a yellow machine falls on the track and hit a white bike already under braking. Both riders fall off and roll into the sand trap at turn 1. Both are unhurt and are able to move to safe positions.

At the end of lap 1, Huang Shi-Zhao does a 1:38s lap and then he passes Dan Kruger at turn 4 to great applause from the spectators. His status as the king of superbikes is unshakable to Zhuhai fans. But after the pass, he is not able to pull away, with Dan Kruger sitting 0.5s behind him, waiting to pounce.

After that, Huang Shi-Zhao keeps to his line and leaves no door open to Dan. But Dan is surely not making things easy for Huang and he makes a 1:37s fastest lap to keep the pressure on. Huang has to summon up all his skills to prevent Dan passing him on the straight. The duo battle on for the next 4 laps with neither rider relenting.

On lap 6, with a group of backmarkers in front, Huang Shi-Zhao faces a problem but also an opportunity. Huang uses the slow runners to make a get away, while Dan Kruger makes a mistake, runs off track and back and loses two positions. After that he does a 1:37.778 fastest lap, but Huang Shi-Zhao, with a clear track in front and behind him, beats his time with a 1:37.604.

In the end, Huang Shi-Zhao wins the race in front of over 10,000 cheering fans and claim the Red Bull Fastest Lap Award.