(March 24, 2014) Zhuhai, China- Kawasaki Superbike rider Dan Kruger took second place in both Superbike races this past weekend at the opening rounds of the Pan Delta China Superbike Series.
With close to 30,000 spectators, nice weather, and a full race schedule, nothing was going to take away the excitement now found at the Pan Delta China Superbike Series events. These races are televised live on CCTV5 which is widely available in all of China and many other Countries around the world.
Kruger set the fasted time in Official practice running in the mid-1.37s, but had to settle for second spot in Qualifying after Yes Yamaha Zhou put in a dominant flying lap to secure Pole. Kruger lost the topmspot when he was held up by a back-marker on the final corner.
In both races, Kruger had problems with his start and dropped back several positions as they went into Turn One.
“Looking back, I had a good solid weekend,” stated Kruger. “We had a lot of sponsors fly in for the event and that kept us busy in terms of catering and general interaction. Earlier in the week, I had put down three of my fastest laps ever at ZIC but then had continued radiator issues which troubled us through the race weekend.”
The Kawasaki Superbike team has gone through three radiators in the past six months, and this issue is what ultimately caused Kruger’s big crash in September of 2013 where he ruptured his urethra and fractured his pelvis.
“To be honest, I have the TT on my mind and in a way, it is keeping me from pushing that extra 5% which is needed to win here. I will have all this European racing behind me come June and will be fully focused on the China series and will do what it takes to get the double win.”
The team will also have Sammo back from Australia for this event and that will take a lot of the team management duties off of Kruger’s plate and allow him to focus on winning races.
This past weekend wasn’t without incidents as both races saw multiple bike crashes in Turn One on Lap 1. No one was seriously injured in either incidents but there were some very damaged race bikes.
Australian Superbike Series regular Ben Burke flew in for this event and left his mark with a second race win in the Supersport 600 class. He ran off in Race 1 and spent most of the race playing catch up. His team plans to contest the entire China series and will be back in June for Rounds 3 & 4.
As for Kruger, he is off to China again in a few days for a quick test with his 2014 Superbike and then directly to Magny-Cours in France (April 19-20) for his first test with the Penz13.com BMW team. Immediately following that test, he will visit the IOM to spend three days with the legendary TT Winner Milky Quayle and start getting familiar with the TT.
“I am pleased that many of my Sponsors for the China Superbike Series will also be supporting me and my team in the NW200 and TT as well as at the 8 Hour in Suzuka. It is always better for branding and overall synergy when I can get the same product sponsors no matter where I am riding. Motul, RK, Vemar, and Nature Power are four companies that are doing just that.”
A Special thanks to all the sponsors including Titanic Kawasaki, Motul, Hindle, Pirelli, Spidi, Vemar, Mototron, OZ, RK, Nature Power, Team JP, Dogfight, Adventure Power, Walter Bonnano, Jimbo for the catering and of course my Mechanic Matt.
Submitted by: Dankrugerracing.com
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