24 Jun 2015 Former WSBK star overcomes the local heroes - ZIC Superbike Race round 1

On 20 June 2015, Saturday, after the Ferrari Asia Pacific Challenge race and Red Bull Drifting Battle, ZIC Superbike Race’s competitors get ready for their first race of the weekend.

According to the qualifying results from the morning, EBR 1190 RS superbike rider Mark Aitchison starts from the pole position, Li Zheng-Peng and Huang Shi-Zhao are second and third for Yamaha. But ZIC Superbike veteran Dan Kruger has to start from the back due to a technical infringement. The gap between Mark Aitchison and Li Zheng-Peng is 0.3 second, with Huang Shi-Zhao another 1.5 seconds behind.

After over 8 hours of direct sunshine, the track temperature has risen to 65 degrees C. This is a big challenge for drivers. The tyres will be able to achieve working temperatures quickly but they will also deteriorate faster.

As the red lights go out, the 42 superbikes roar together and race towards the first corner. The front runners all make good starts and order is maintained. Mark Aitchison tries to put the hammer down but Li and Huang are able to keep up, forming a leading trio. At T9, a bike runs off and stops in front of the retaining wall. The rider re-adjusts his bike and rides it back to the pits for retirement.

On lap 3, the leading trio continue to fight amongst themselves. A second group has formed behind them and they are racing each other just as fiercely, Dan Kruger, Karl Roe and Simon Kwan are just separated by 0.3 second. They overtake each other every time they reach the braking zone, giving the spectators lots of action.

At half distance, they are already 20 seconds behind the leading trio. On lap 6, Mark Aitchison comes up against a backmarker and Li Zheng-Peng takes the opportunity to pass him, then he goes on to set the fastest lap of the race, a 1:36.060. Mark is not about to give up and he chases Li down as both riders negotiate their ways around the backmarkers. On the last lap, #55 Shen Xi makes a mistake and falls down at T11, the rescue team quickly get there to handle the situation and he seems alright. But the accident affects Li Zheng-Peng’s speed and allows Mark Aitchison to retakes the lead. At the chequered flag, Mark takes the win, Li Zheng-Peng finishes second, merely 0.16 second behind while Huang Shi-Zhao takes third place.

After the race, Mark Aitchison said, “I made a good start and tried hard to defend myself from the Yamaha riders, but Li passed me when I came up against a backmarker. After that we had a great battle, fortunately I won in the end and we must make some changes to my bike for tomorrow if we want to win again.”

Li Zheng-Peng said, “Today s race is regrettable. I did not make a very good start but fortunately I did not lose any positions. For the next two laps I followed Mark and then used the backmarker opportunity to take the lead until the final lap, when a rider fell in front of me. That affected my gear change and I lost speed, allowing Mark to overtake me. It was regrettable but my performance has been good today and I believe tomorrow will be better.”

Huang Shi-Zhao said, “Today s biggest characteristic was hot temperature. It gave us a lot of problems in the race. Since the bikes are new and my race suit is also new. The bike has a lot of power and I am still getting used to it. The race suit is just finished and I have not had time to adjust it, it is too tight and my arms are scratched. Anyway being able to closely follow the front duo has been good. After making some adjustments I believe I will not be slower than them.”