23 Mar 2014 ZIC Superbike Race 2: Huang Shi-Zhao defends his crown
At 1:50pm on 23 March 2014, with warm sunshine in Zhuhai, the crowd has been properly warmed up by the Red Bull Drift Battle. ZIC Superbikes are on track now to keep the crowd entertained.
ZIC Suoerbike has a long history. It has been part of the Pan Delta set-up since its inception. Not only does it fill the Pan Delta race slots, it also serves to provide a competitive platform for superbikes in the country. With a decline in motorcycle racing nationally, Pan Delta's ZIC Superbike Championship is the only superbike race left behind. If you want to see superbike racing, Pan Delta is your destination.
According to qualifying results, row one is occupied by Huang Shi-Zhao, Dan Kruger and Li Zheng-Peng. In the first race yesterday, Huang Shi-Zhao won by 2 seconds over Dan Kruger, setting a fastest lap of 1:37.332 in the process. This lap was 4 seconds faster than the Ferrari 458's best lap set in the Circuit Hero One race.
Among Huang's rivals, Dan Kruger is the only rider who can break into 1:38 seconds. The duo has been hard at each other for many years. This year Huang has taken the first win, will Dan takes the second?
The red lights go off and the race is on. Haung Shi-Zhao makes his customary good start and leads ino the first corner. Li Zheng-Peng also makes a good start from the right side and takes second place, ahead of Dan Kruger. It is a Yamaha 1-2 for now. At turn 11, one of the bikes falls down in the sand trap and cannot continue. The oil flag is shown, indicating oil on track and the riders must be careful.
On lap 3, Li Zheng-Peng is finally overtaken by Dan Kruger. For motorcycles, Zhuhai's race track is very wide and there are overtaking opportunities everywhere. Dan puts the pressure on as soon as he moves into second place, three seconds behind Huang Shi-Zhao.
On lap 4, no. 12 Hou Xiao-Qiang loses control and rides into the sand trap. The marshals quickly move in to remove his motorcycle.
Huang Shi-Zhao continues to lead and sets a fastest lap of 1:37.373. But with backmarkers in front of him, lapping them may cause him time, which could be the opportunity Dan Kruger needs.
On lap 8, Huang Shi-Zhao is still ahead and his lead has grown to 6 seconds. On the last lap, Huang Shi-Zhao wins, Dan Kruger takes second, 7.5 seconds behind. Li Zheng-Peng finishes third. Huang burns his tyres as he returns to parc-ferme, sharing his joy with the marshals.
Result | No. | Class | Rider | Motorcycle | Time |
1 | 9 | CL1 | Huang Shi-Zhao | Yamaha R6 | 16:23.914 |
2 | 71 | CL1 | Dan Kruger | Kawasaki ZX10R | 16:31.440 |
3 | 26 | CL3 | Li Zheng-Peng | Yamaha R6 | 16:43.595 |
4 | 62 |
CL1 |
Guan Ying-Hao | Ducati 1199 | 17:00.680 |
5 | 60 | CL3 | Benjamin Burke | Kawasaki ZX6R | 17:08.723 |
6 | 6 | CL1 | Fan Zhong-Ming | Yamaha R1 | 17:13.205 |
7 | 15 | CL1 | Hu Zhao-Neng | Kawasaki ZX6R | 17:18.595 |
8 | 99 | CL2 | Ou-Yang Fu | Yamaha R6 | 17:23.362 |
9 | 2 | CL3 | Yuan Ji-Bo | Kawasaki ZX6R | 17:37.706 |
10 | 27 | CL3 | Max Lau | Yamaha R6 | 17:46.895 |
11 | 18 | CL1 | Su Shao-Xiong | Honda CBR1000 | 17:57.498 |
12 | 79 | CL2 | Yu Zhen-Hao | Honda CBR600 |
18:04.590 |
13 | 167 | CL2 | John Congdon | Yamaha R6 | 18:08.047 |
14 | 55 | CL3 | Shen Xi | Yamaha R6 | 18:08.641 |
15 | 21 | CL3 | Ma Sai | Yamaha R6 | 18:09.644 |
16 | 29 | CL3 | Patrick Li | Kawasaki ZX6R | 16:27.498 |
17 | 36 | CL3 | Xu Wei-Lang | Kawasaki ZX6R | 16:44.447 |
18 | 77 | CL2 | Gao Lu | Kawasaki ZX6R | 16:46.112 |
19 | 69 | CL1 | Ou Jia-Hua | Kawasaki ZX10R | 16:51.889 |