June Pan Delta Championship Links
http://www.zhtv.com/tv/tvNews/zhxw/zhxwlist/201306/155723.html
http://www.n21.cc/news/zhsz/2013-6-17/content_35901.shtml
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTcxMTg2MjIw.html
Pan Delta ZIC Superbike Race 1: Last minute scare
At 14:00 on 15 June, 2013 Pan Delta Super Racing Festival (Summer Race) officially begins with its first race: ZIC Superbike. As the leading motorcycle race series in China, the race has been a part of Pan Delta since its inception and it is wildly popular among the fans.
After a downpour in the morning, the weather dries up as the race draws near. Although the 37 motorcycles of this race still have to face a wet track. Pole position goes to Huang Shi-Zhao who did a 1:47.505 in wet qualifying. His arch rival Dan Kruger is about one second behind in second place. Huang’s teammate Li Zheng-Peng is third with 1:49.915.
The red lights go off and the race begins. Huang Shi-Zhao makes a good start and quickly moves into the lead. At turn 4, no. 12 Hao Xiao-Qiang loses control and falls off, fortunately his speed is low and he is unhurt.
Dan Kruger accelerates at turn 4 and moves past Li Zheng-Peng. At the end of lap 1, Huang Shi-Zhao leads by 2 second from Dan Kruger while Li Zheng-Peng is a further 6 seconds behind. It appears that Li Zheng-Peng is not as accustomed to racing on a wet track as the leading duo.
On lap 4, an accident happens as no. 16 He Ji-Meng runs out of track and ends up in the gravel. If this had happened in the streets, He would have hit a wall. But at a proper race track he simply runs out into the sand trap and retires from the race safely.
On lap 7, Huang’s lead is extended to 3 seconds from Dan. At turn 9, no. 77 makes a mistake and runs on the grass. He is able to rejoin the race.
Huang Shi-Zhao continues his unrelenting progress at the front, passing backmarkers as he goes. Today is his wet weather riding practise. Dan Kruger still runs second while Li Zheng-Peng is 44 seconds behind.
On lap 8, no. 37 suddenly falls off on the main straight not far from turn 14. The bike lies on middle of the track while the rider crawls away into safety. With bikes coming forward at racing speeds, the situation is very dangerous. The race officials wisely decides to stop the race with the red flag and the bikes slow down. In the end, the race counts to 8 laps and Huang Shi-Zhao is the winner, Dan Kruger second and Li Zheng-Peng is third.
Suzuka Test – a Huge Success!
World Famous Suzuka Circuit in Japan
Well, another world famous racetrack off my list. Most people have a bucket list, I have a list of race tracks that I would like to ride before I hang up my boots. There are a handful that may never happen such as the Isle of Man (through the streets) but to be very honest, I had my doubts Suzuka would ever happen… and it did! being allowed to even set foot on the famous Suzuka is a process in itself. Meetings, special licenses, Japanese connections, and the list goes on. The process started last year and involved me riding the equally impressive Motegi Circuit in Japan first. (I like Motegi even more than Suzuka in terms of layout and grip)
I arrive in Japan and Mr. Muroi is waiting along with future MotoGP Superstar Fujita Takuda (My new younger brother!)
fastest 15 year old I ever met!
I arrived late and we had a 5 hour road trip from the airport to the track. I had just been flying for 17 hours and was scheduled to be on the track early the next morning. What a schedule.
The next day we were on the track and quickly up to speed. The chicane was throwing me off and also the lack of grip. Lucky I brought my trusty Pirelli tyres with me.
What happened next was not good… I will let the photo speak for itself!
carnage caused by me on the teams "A" Bike!!!
I took the next day to recover as I pulled some groin muscles. The day after that was back on the track and I was not feeling great. I only put one session in but I gave it my all and we got down to some very respectable times.
The team and me... Team Dogfight R and Team JP
Dan Kruger and wife Holly expecting a baby girl
Dan with Holly in China
Canadian road racer Dan Kruger has proudly announced that his wife of seven years, Holly Kruger, is expecting the couple’s first child at the end of July.
“We are really excited about the baby coming and are busy figuring out a good name and all the normal planning around having a baby,” wrote the happy father-to-be. Kruger already has an older daughter, Katrina, who is very familiar with the race track – she spent plenty of time there as a baby/young girl while Kruger was racing in Canada.
“Having the baby at the end of July is a great time, but it will likely change my plans with the upcoming Suzuka 8 Hour Event also at the end of July in Japan,” mentioned Kruger. “I will still go test with the team in May and we will have a closer look at all the details. One thing is certain, I will be in Montreal for the birth of my baby! If the timing is such and I miss Suzuka for 2013, I will almost certainly put a ride together for the Macau GP in November.”
“Everyone assumed that I wanted a boy but, to be honest, I am really happy we are having a girl,” Kruger noted. “Besides, I think girls get more sponsorship money, don’t they?”
Kruger currently leads the Superbike standings in the Pan Delta Superbike Championship series based in Zhuhai, China.
Dan Kruger’s Racing in China Blog: Two Wheels Vs. Four
Dan Ready to go in a Formula Renault Car - April 2013
One of the perks of winning big races is that cool opportunities usually fall into your lap along the way. I was recently asked to test a Formula Renault open wheel car in China, and I gladly accepted. I have never followed car racing nor had any interest in racing cars. I always thought that driving a race car would be anti-climactic after the thrill of riding Superbikes.
I never thought of cars as dangerous (okay, maybe rally cars), especially these days when they seem to be built with safety being the main focus. You see these drivers flip end-over-end and usually walk away. They even drive into each other on purpose in some cases to settle racing feuds!
I showed up in the morning of the test day and the team was ready and waiting for me, the car was set up and they just needed to show me all the instruments, fit everything for me, and go over the shift and braking points around the Zhuhai Circuit.
It was only as they helped me into the car and strapped me in that I started to feel like this wasn’t for me. I don’t do heights, and I am very claustrophobic. The fear of heights wasn’t a problem, but I was not a happy camper being wedged into this piece of rolling carbon fibre with who knows how many horsepower just inches behind me!
I spun the car three times in the first two laps. It took me five more laps to realize I was driving the car like a bike and braking way too early. I was also downshifting way to early and over-revving the motor (something that would come back and haunt me later).
I was now on the pace and doing respectable lap times. I started passing cars and the tires were up to temp. Just like I thought – cars are easy, safe, and kinda boring.
It was at that moment as I was downshifting into a corner that I heard a loud bang and the car instantly spun and shut off. Seconds later, I hear fire crackling away, smell fire, and then everything turns completely black with smoke. And I can’t breathe… AT ALL.
A moment of panic set in, followed by some clear and rational thinking. With no experience on quickly getting out of a racecar (it took two people just to get me into it!), I realized there was more to these cars then meets the eye. Getting unbuckled, steering wheel off, harness, getting out of the car all in pitch darkness, holding my breath, with a fire that is getting bigger by the second. I am writing to tell about it, so needless to say, you know how this story ends. But the moral of the story is that you should never be so quick to prejudge another sport without first trying it.
The Hot Seat
I now see car racing in a different light and with a newfound respect. I would rather get bucked off a motorbike any day of the week before being stuck in a burning race car in the middle of China!
The car ended up burning to the ground and I ended up walking away. I think i will stick to what I know best… Superbikes are safer.
LATE POSTING-March 2013 Pan Delta China Superbike Championship-VICTORY!
Dan Kruger won Round 2 of China's Pan Delta Championship to take the series points lead
March 17, 2013: Zhuhai International Circuit- After narrowly missing out on the win in Round 1 by 1/200 of a second with a lap to go, Dan Kruger led Round 2 of the Pan Delta Championship from flag to flag.
Yes Yamaha’s Shi-Zhao, who is also the 2012 Superbike Champion in China, fought hard and showed Kruger his front wheel throughout the race. Following the epic battle, the 35,000 fans were on the edge of their seats watching the big screen, cheering mostly for their local Yamaha hero.
“I had set the pace in qualifying by taking pole by over a second and really controlled the pace in both race 1 and 2. I got caught up in back markers and a waving yellow flag in race 1 that gave Zhao the advantage and he got me at the line. I wasn’t going to let that happen in race 2. It was also a close race but I also had a bit more if need be kept in reserve” Kruger said.
With a light drizzle at the beginning of qualifying on Saturday and the threat of a downpour at the start of race 2 on Sunday, all 33 teams entered in the event were on standby right up to the sighting lap and prepared on a moment’s notice to change to rain tyres. In the end, it stayed dry and the race was clearly the crowd favorite for the weekend. With 33 bikes entered from all parts of the world – Australia, New Zealand, UK, Spain, Canada, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and China, The Pan Delta Series truly is an International event.
From his hospitality suite set up with food and drinks, and with top management from Kawasaki, five senior members of Motul, as well as a number of the teams other sponsors in attendance, Kruger expressed, “The weekend went very well both on and off the track. Winning on Sunday was perfect and taking the Championship lead was exactly what we had hoped would happen. Our team worked amazing together and we also had a lot of fun!”
During the Lunch break, Kruger went out and gave crowd favorite El Sammo a hand with his stunt show. Kruger took out Sammo’s stunt bike with a model on the back while Sammo did some stunts on an old scooter. They then lined up and had a drag race before Sammo went on to do his show. The crowd loved it!
Concluded Kruger, “The Kawasaki ZX10R ran perfect and we would like to thank our sponsors: Kawasaki, Motul, Hindle, Spidi, Vemar, Moto-Tron, RK, Pirelli, and Full Spectrum”
Kruger will return to Canada before testing in Japan next month at Suzuka,as well as in Zhuhai for a 2 day test. The next round of the Pan Delta Championship will be run June 14-16 in Zhuhai.
Prepared by Dan Kruger Racing/ www.dankrugerracing.com
PRESS RELEASE BY ZIC CIRCUIT-KRUGER NABS 2nd PLACE IN OPENING ROUND
ZIC Superbike Race 1
On 16 March 2013 at Zhuhai International Circuit, while the northern part of the country is covered in snow, Zhuhai on the southern coast is warm and sunny. The 2013 Pan Delta Super Racing Festival’s Spring Race opens the motorsport year. The special geographic location of Zhuhai has an advantage on weather and its 20 years history has helped groomed the local motorsport culture. 8 years of Pan Delta and each event attracting over 30,000 spectators. The event is attractive. On Saturday morning, just the qualifying sessions and the Red Bull Drifting Challenge pulled in a crowd of over 10,000. The packed grandstand is hallmark of this great event.
Pan Delta is a rare motorsport event that also feature races on Saturday. At 2pm, after a series of qualifying and warm-up sessions as well as the Red Bull Drifting Challenge, the hugely popular ZIC Superbike Race is ready to roar. Some of the best riders in the region are in the race, apart from the top duo Dan Kruger and Huang Shi-Zhao, there are also many experienced riders from Europe, America and Japan. Their arrival will not only enhance the spectacle but also help the local riders improve their standards.
According to qualifying results, Dan Kruger is on the pole position with Huang Shi-Zhao right alongside. Li Zheng-Peng is third and these three occupy the first row.
The red lights are off and the race begins. The high revving motorcyle engines give their roar and they sprint off to the first corner. Dan Kruger, on his green Kawasaki ZX10R takes the lead. Huang Shi-Zhao and Li Zheng-Peng follows closely behind. No. 46 Rosli also hangs on to the leading group.
On lap 2, the top duo begins to battle. Dan Kruger continues to lead and Huang Shi-Zhao follows with him, while the rest are beginning to fall behind. On lap 3, the gap between the two is 0.7 second and the rest are more than 3 seconds further back. At this moment, Huang suddenly accelerates and cuts into the corner, disturbing Dan Kruger’s rythum and takes the lead. Now it is time for Dan to follow Shi-Zhao. He tries to re-take the lead but Shi-Zhao has his rear covered.
On lap 5, the gap between the duo is just a mere 0.06 second as they begin to lap the backmarkers. This is Dan Kruger’s chance. Huang Shi-Zhao is the fastest and most experienced Chinese rider and he defends so well that Dan Kruger is finding it difficult to spot any chance. His qualifying advantage of over a second is of no consequence here. Huang’s fastest lap so far is 1:37.641 while Dan can only manage 1:38.060.
On lap 6, before T13, Dan Kruger pressurize Huang Shi-Zhao from the outside of the corner and Huang tries to push him back and the two almost touched. But Huang Shi-Zhao has the racing line. On lap 8, Dan Kruger uses the slower traffic to his advantage and makes a surprise move, Huang, forced to slow down between two bikes, has to allow Dan Kruger to re-take the lead.
A lap later, the gap between the two grows to 2 seconds. The duo are over 20 seconds ahead of the second group of riders. On the last lap, Huang Shi-Zhao is not giving up and he uses Dan Kruger’s own trick of using the backmarker to claim back the lead.
In the final corners, Huang Shi-Zhao holds on to his position and takes the chequered flag in first place, becoming the first winner of the 2013 Pan Delta Super Racing Festival. The track marshals offer their congratulations as he completes his slow down lap. Huang himself is also very emotional and he gets off the bike and kisses it. The scene raises a passionate response from the crowd as their cheer for their hero in such a great race.
KRUGER QUALIFIES ON POLE-SPRING PAN DELTA CHAMPIONSHIP
2013 Pan Delta kicks off with qualifying sessions for Superbike and Circuit Hero
In the morning of 16 March 2013, Pan Delta Super Racing Festival stages the qualifying sessions of ZIC Superbike, Asian Pan Delta AFR Series and Circuit Hero One.
In the ZIC Superbike qualifying session that begins at 9:30, Dan Kruger, riding a Kawasaki ZX10R, takes the pole position with Huang Shi-Zhao and Li Zheng-Peng second and third. The gap between them is about 1 second. Dan Kruger’s time is 1:37.794 while Huang Shi-Zhao manages 1:38.757. Li Zheng-Peng’s time is 1:41.549, which is quite a big gap from the front duo. It looks like the race with be another face off between Dan Kruger and Huang Shi-Zhao again.
Heading for pole position
In the popular Circuit Hero One qualifying session, Mario Ferraris, driving a Mercedes C63, takes pole position. His 1:42.513 lap time is more than 3 seconds quicker than the second placed driver, who is William O’Brien in his Caterham. Among Chinese drivers, Simon Yam, driving a Mitsubishi, Ferrari 360 driver Bryan Tong and BMW M3 driver Zhu Xiao-Dong are 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. Simon Yam’s time is 1:46.006, very close to the leading duo.
With the addition of the Mercedes C63 and Ferrari 360, the Circuit Hero One race has become more competitive. The first race is schedule for 14:45 today, it will be worth watching for.
In the morning Circuit Hero Two also holds it first practice session. With 42 cars in the race, among them are the familiar Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. There are also some very good drivers involved like He Wei-Hang and Hong Bing-Xue.
Bikes are prepped and ready for action
Testing earlier in the week
4 Day China Test a Huge Success! 1:36.5 – 2013 Looking Good
February test Zhuhai
Zhuhai test Feb 2013
Lap TImer says it all!
Feb 2013 Test China
Feb 2013 test
Feb 2103 test China
Feb 2013 China Test
Feb Test China
Some Recent Inside Motorcycle Blogs
If you click on the link below, you will see the last 3-4 Blogs I wrote for Inside motorcycles Magazine. They talk about some testing I did in Japan, a couple of race weekends, and more scoop on racing in China. Enjoy!
http://insidemotorcycles.com/blogs/itemlist/category/30-dan-kruger.html