17 Jun 2017 Safety is paramount - ZIC Superbike Race is cancelled due to downpour

At 17:20 on 17 June, ZIC Superbike 1000cc Race 3 is schedule to start from the pit lane. The race was originally scheduled to run at noon. But it was postponed due to a downpour at the time. Everyone understands that since the bikes enjoy very little surface contact with the track, so the demand for grip is very high. With puddles on the track, the risk of accidents is very high. Therefore the postponement is within reason. Although the race is postponed, the rain has only just stopped and there are many puddles on the track. For the participating riders, it is not a small challenge.

The weather gods seem to enjoy making jokes with the Pan Delta riders. As everybody prepare themselves busily on the starting grid, the rain begins to fall again. The rain catches the organizers by surprise. Furthermore, the oil left on the track by the preceding Circuit Hero-Two race is still there, compelling the race organizers to make another track inspection. They conclude that the track is not suitable for superbike racing. After communicating with the various team managers, the organizers ultimately decide to postpone the 600cc and 1000cc superbike race to the morning of 18 June. Two superbike races postponed due to poor weather is a big disappointment for the fans and riders.

CAMF deputy secretariat Ms. Gong Hong-Guo said, “It is with great regret that we made this decision. Due to the heavy oil leak in the preceding race, many parts of the track is affected by oil. Four of the apexes are have a lot of oil. Even if sawdust is used to cover them, the surface is still very slippery. It is a great risk for superbike riders. In addition it is raining again, so we have no way of guaranteeing the riders’safety. After inspecting every part of the track in detail, we have to regrettably make the decision to cancel the race.”

In the qualifying session, we have seen a lot of international riders who are new to us. Since the race has been promoted to FIM international race, ZIC Superbike Race has attracted widespread international attention. These international riders’ arrival give the Chinese riders a chance to learn and compete against them. According to the qualifying results, BMW S1000 rider Broc Parkes is on the pole position. Ducati 1299SL rider Alessandro Valia is in second place, while Daniel Falzon is third on his Yamaha R1. The three riders occupy the front row. On the second row are Mark Aitchison, Alexander Cudlin, and Angel Poyatos. Chinese riders Li Zheng-Peng, Huang Shi-Zhao and Japanese rider Shinjo Masahiro are on row three. With the growth of Pan Delta, more and more international riders are taking part in it and Chinese riders have a lot of pressure to bear.

Safety is paramount. We believe tomorrow morning the superbike riders will be able to show off their skills.