2 May 2004
Round 3 – Zhuhai China
The first major road race to be held in the People’s Republic of China. It was promised to be well organised and the teams would have all their expenses paid. This however, proved not to be the case!

The Team were well up for it especially after the excellent result at Assen as well as the chance to visit China, many obviously for the first time.

Unfortunately, customs proved the first obstacle with the bikes and equipment being held up delaying practice.

The temperature was unbelievable. It was just so hot. Practice was going to be an experience and a half.

The riders were again to be James Hutchins, Spike Edwards and Nick Pilborough.

Having again problems with the handling of the bike again, the team were highly delighted to finish qualifying in 10th position. Bolliger Kawasaki had an excellent practice and recorded a time slightly faster and finished in 9th position. Both squads were really up for the race.

Race order was to be Spike to start, Nick on the middle stint and James to run to the flag.

A false start, due to the noise being made by the crowd was the first minor mishap but the remainder of the race went according to plan with no major mishaps and the bike ran perfectly even in the searing temperature. There were more problems with the riders de-hydrating. Second time out on the new bike ended with the James crossing the line in a brilliant 10th place. Again what a way to start a new season on a new bike! The Team were now well placed in the championship having picked up another 6 points making a total to date of 15 points.

The Team went mad at the end of the race; Miles Hutchins along with the whole Team was ecstatic! The long trek to China had been worthwhile.

The Team again linked up with the Bolliger Kawasaki pit crew carrying out the refuelling and tyre changes. This was a major reason for the team’s excellent race position, cutting down our pit stop times to those faster than the other top running teams. The Bolliger Team were also highly delighted with their magnificent 4th place having missed out on a podium result by only 0.004 seconds, being pipped on the line by the Moto 38 Team.

The rest of pit lane had better watch out for Diablo 666 Bolliger Kawasaki for the remainder of the 2004 season! Two races, two excellent results. Roll on the next round in Albacete, Spain.

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