23 Mar 2019 Wet race challenge! On form Li Zheng-Peng takes victory!

On 23rd March, Pan Delta Super Racing Festival – Spring Race welcomes its first race day. Although there is consistent drizzle, the circuit is already very busy with many fans arriving early.  There are 35 riders in today’s first race. Pole position starter #26 Li Zheng-Peng won the race as well as setting the fastest lap time of 1:42.430. 

As the rain is quite severe just before the start of the race, the spray from the back of the superbikes will influence the superbikes behind, therefore the race organizers require all superbikes to turn on their rear red lights. #110 Cen Wei-Can and Maxpeedingrods Racing #9 Huang Shi-Zhao are unable to turn on their rear red lights and therefore both have to start the race from the pit lane.

#26 Li Zheng-Peng makes a good start and keeps his first place, #7 Mark Aitchison follows him closely. Due to the rain, the track is slippery and there are puddles of water at places. #24 Liu Chuang, #41 Lou Tao at Turn 1, #99 Jack Ao Ieong Fu at Turn 4, fall off due to losing control and they retire from the race. Leader Li Zheng-Peng continues to meet backmarkers, allowing Mark Aitchison to close in on him.

In the last 3 laps, Mark Aitchison and Li Zheng-Peng are running almost nose-to-tail. Li Zheng-Peng fends off his attacks and then begins to pull away and sets the fastest lap time in the process. #59 He Zhi-Feng, starting from sixth place, moves steadily up the field and is now third.

In the end Li Zheng-Peng wins the Speed Hero 1000cc/600cc Race 1 overall, #7 Mark Aitchison finishes second with #59 He Zhi-Feng in third place.Speed Hero 600cc CL1 class top 3 are #76 Wada Ruka, #21 Maxpeedingrods Racing Ma Sai, #777 Li Zhong; CL2 class top 3 are #68 Yu Yao-Long, #17 Lin Zhi-Fei and #19 Chen Hong-Yan.

Speed Hero 1000cc Open A class top 3 are #26 Li Zheng-Peng, #7 Mark Aitchison and #71 Dan Kruger; Open B class top 3 are #59 He Zhi-Feng, #12 Maxpeedingrods Racing Huang Yan-Jia and #93 Gideon Lee.

After the race, overall winner Li Zheng-Peng said, “It is really hard due to the rain, there were lots of accidents and backmarkers were a factor as well. I am very honoured to have won. Thank you to all the team members. I hope I can continue my form and go faster and faster.”

Speed Hero 1000cc／600cc Race 2 will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. According to weather reports, the rain will continue, so let’s see how everyone will perform in the rain!