Another podium for Kruger

By John Hopkins

Canadian Dan Kruger claimed another podium finish on his BG-Kawasaki-backed Kawasaki ZX-6R in the 600 Supersport class of the Summer Pan Delta Race Series in China June 20. The result gave the Montreal native the points lead in the class.

The result came despite a nasty leg injury and scorching temperatures, which with the humidity made it feel like 42 degrees Celsius.

"I struggled all weekend with a badly injured leg and getting the bike right," Kruger said in an email. "We ran out of medium and hard compound tires so we ended up using a soft-medium front and a soft rear. That was interesting to say the least. Five laps in, it felt like a flat track speedway event."

Kruger had been hoping to race the BG team's Kawasaki ZX-10R but was told instead to focus on trying to capture the 600 class title.

"We came into this race leading the points for the series and Kawasaki wants us to focus on winning the championship for the Supersport class," he said. "In Asia, they sell a lot more 600cc bikes than 1000cc bikes so that is where they want me to focus."

Kruger will be back in Asia in July and August testing and preparing for the doubleheader finale to the Pan Delta series in September. He is in discussions with Kawasaki to race the Macau GP this November and has already signed on to race the big International PWC race in Sanya, China over the December Holidays for Kawasaki on a race-kitted Ultra 260X. He might also be entered as a wildcard for the FIM Asia GP in early December.