19 Mar 2011 Xiao Jin wins as Huang Shi-Zhao loses out after convincing lead

At 1:30pm on 19 March, engines noises rises from Audi Zhuhai International Circuit, signifying the start of the 2011 Audi Pan Delta Super Racing Festival season. The first race category to hit the track is the ZIC Superbike Championship. With Audi Pan Delta's careful nurturing, ZIC Superbike has grown in both attraction and competitiveness, becoming a platform for the riders to showcase their skills as well as the battlefield for experienced professionals.

In the previous day's qualifying session, 2010 China Superbike Championship 600cc overall champion Huang Shi-Zhao showed good form and took pole position with a 1:39.007 lap time. Dan Kruger and Japanese newcomer Kimura Yasuyoshi were 2nd and 3rd fastest. Huang Shi-Zhao's teammate Xiao Jin could only manage sixth place.

Today the track is affected by a slight drizzle, adding another unpredictable element to the race. With professionals such as Xiao Jin, Guan Ying-Hao, Hu Zhao-Neng joining the race, Huang Shi-Zhao will not have it easy. At the start of the race, Huang is overtaken by Xiao Jin, but just a few corners later, Huang retakes the lead and begins to pull away. After a mere 3 laps, Huang Shi-Zhao has a 3 seconds lead. Third placed Kimura Yasuyoshi is more than 10 seconds behind Xiao Jin, while Hu Zhao-Neng runs 4th.

In the second half of the race, Hu Zhao-Neng and Kimura Yasuyoshi begin to fight for third place, both riders overtaking each other multiple times. In the end Kimura Yasuyoshi claims third place for good. Just as everyone expects Huang Shi-Zhao to lock up another victory, his R1 bike suddenly slows down and stops at the pit exit and retires from the race. This allows Xiao Jin to come through for his first race victory of 2011 in his 600cc bike, defeating all the 1000cc bikes in the field.

After the race Huang Shi-Zhao explained that his bike's oil pump had a problem. Will he be able to win tomorrow? Come to Audi ZIC to see for yourself!

2011 ZIC Superbike Championship Race 1 Official Race Result: