David Sadowski Sr. Podiums in China after 12 year hiatus from racing The Pan Delta racing series at China’s Zhuhai International Circuit hosted round two of the season in front of a capacity crowd to watch an exciting mix of both motorcycle and auto racing classes. The combined format brought out the best racers from all over Asia and other countries to face off against each other in a historic match up. The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Circuit Hero Road Sport, Touring Car Class, along with the Asian GT Championship cars gave way to the Superbikes on Sunday in extremely warm weather. The full grid of motorcycles and umbrella girls added a first class flare to the festival of speed. (Photos and report can be seen in Chinese at ~http://www.BikeHK.com~) The two-leg format in Sunday’s ZIC Superbike Race saw Kawasaki riders dominate the first race with the #26 of Li Zheng Peng (Kaw ZX-6) taking the top spot on the podium over #57 Du Bang (Kaw ZX-6) and 667r Titanic Kawasaki’s #125 David Sadowski Sr. (Kaw ZX-10). Sadowski was the first-place finisher in Class 1 aboard his 1000cc machine. The Pan Delta Super Racing Festival combines three classes of Superbikes in each race, Class 1, 2 and 3. Class 1 is Four Strokes from 751cc up to 1500cc. Class 2 is Four Stroke up to 750cc and Two Stroke up to 250cc. Class 3 is Super Sport 600cc with FIM Super Sport rules and regulations. Sadowski started race one from the second row of the grid with a huge wheelie and was fourth into turn one. On the front straight on lap one the 667r Titanic Kawasaki rider jumped to third and latched on to the leaders. The box-stock Bridgestone shod Kawasaki ZX-10 that he was riding arrived at the ZIC circuit just twelve hours before qualifying. The 667r crew just barely made it through Tech Inspection on time after working all night to prepare. Sadowski’s new ride was leaving black lines off the rear tire out of every turn and you could see the 46 year old veteran Superbike rider struggling to keep up with his youthful competitors. As tire wear came into play and Sadowski learned what he had under him, he smoothly slid his way to third overall and first in Class 1. From the front row in race two Sadowski rolled just a few inches when the start red light came on. After catching himself he left late to make up for what everyone hoped would not be called a Jump-Start. The rule at the start in the Pan Delta series states that the motorcycle must not move at all while the red light is on and Sadowski was given a 30 second penalty. Knowing he had flinched and jumped the start, Sadowski passed riders under braking to take fifth place on the first lap. Again, the struggle with grip on the 667r Superbike proved to be challenge for Sadowski as he closed in on the fourth place #62 Yamaha R-1 of Kwan Ying Ho. At the finish, the exhausted Sadowski finished second in his class on track, but the penalty placed him eleventh overall and fourth in Class 1 for the day. “I’m happy to have finished in the top five, never mind first in my class in race one after so many years away from my sport as a rider. These kids haul ass here and they don’t make many mistakes. I almost pitched it few times and thank God I made it to the finish in both races. Racing against my students was really fun and I finally got to show them that I’m not all talk! I hope to get in better shape and improve for the next race in September. I gave it all I had today and had a blast! I want to congratulate Ben Spies also for his first podium in Moto GP, good job kid,” Sadowski said. From Team 667r owner Corrado Savazzi, “This is more than I could have ever dreamed of with the obstacles that we faced getting the machine here and ready for David SR. After many years of ‘Retardment’, not retirement…I think David did an exceptional job and will only go faster as we build the Titanic ZX-10 to a more competitive level. It brought tears to my eyes to see him on the podium representing my new team with pride. This was awesome to watch and to be a part of his return to racing.” Team 667r is sponsored by Titanic Moto Center Ltd, EMMETRE Italian Performance Parts, David Sadowski Riding Academy, Frando Brake Systems, EBC Brakes, Motobatt, Fuchs Silkolene, Dirtmax, Arlen Ness, Bazzaz, Race Tech Suspensions and The Old China Junk Restaurant.