As Chinese motorcycle brand Zhang Xue Motorcycles dominated the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) with an overwhelming lead, breaking the monopoly of international giants and claiming its fifth championship trophy, a fervent wave of motorsports swept across China in an instant.

Almost concurrently, the 55th Tianma Race Day Auto & Motorcycle Track Carnival, hosted by Lisheng Sports, made a spectacular debut at Shanghai Tianma Circuit on May 16–17, 2026. The carnival featured three flagship competitive events: the SES Super Elite Series – Yixuan Cup, the Open Motorcycle Race, and the M60 Endurance Challenge. It also received enthusiastic support from the Zhang Xue Motorcycles Shanghai Fan Club, which brought the unique charm of this domestic championship-winning brand right to the spectators.

Over the two-day event, teams and riders delivered top-tier competitive performances. Off the track, the presence of Zhang Xue Motorcycles pushed the excitement of the competition to new heights.

Zhang Xue Motorcycles Parade Steals the Spotlight

On May 17, the booth of Zhang Xue Motorcycles in front of the main entrance of Shanghai Tianma Circuit was crowded with visitors. Multiple Zhang Xue motorcycles crafted with top-tier domestic manufacturing craftsmanship were neatly displayed. Combined with branding elements from official partner Dongpeng Special Drink, they glistened brightly under the sun, drawing crowds of motorsport fans and spectators to stop by for photos.

What made the scene even more thrilling was the motorcycle parade. Dozens of Zhang Xue Motorcycles riders gathered in full professional riding gear. With roaring engines, they circled the track of Shanghai Tianma Circuit in a grand procession. Their neat formation and magnificent exhaust sound not only demonstrated the outstanding mechanical quality of Zhang Xue motorcycles but also embodied the vigorous vitality of China’s domestic motorcycle culture. They became a stunning highlight on the circuit, winning rounds of applause and cheers from countless spectators.

Clash of Speed Machines

Back on the circuit, fiercely contested duels unfolded across all classes of the Open Motorcycle Race. Featuring four categories—the MINI/190 Class, SSP Middleweight Class, Superbike Class, and Helu Tyres 190 Two-Hour Endurance Race—the event brought together nearly 50 riders from close to 10 professional teams. Blistering straight-line acceleration and precise cornering lines wowed every spectator in attendance.

Competition in the MINI/190 Class was equally intense. Zhou Wenjie of Team 99GYRORT claimed the championship. Veteran rider Xu Shiyan from Ransu Racing settled for second place yet secured the class fastest lap with an impressive time of 1:25.675.

The Tongmeng Racing Team dominated the SSP Middleweight Class, locking up most podium spots. Hou Yuhang from the team seized the top prize, with Wu Zenan and Chen Yang finishing second and third respectively in a commanding performance.

As the class with the most extensive modifications and highest vehicle performance in this Open Motorcycle Race, the Superbike Class saw every team push their machines to the absolute limit. No stock factory bikes were to be seen here—only advanced aerodynamic kits, lightweight carbon fiber bodies and aggressively tuned powertrains.

The battle ignited right off the starting grid. With all bikes performing at a comparable level, overtakes mostly unfolded deep within braking zones or on the outside line of corners. Riders had to fend off rivals while precisely managing hundreds of horsepower through every gear shift and traction control input.

In the end, Qin Tao from FLYING Racing Team claimed a dominant championship. Private rider Huang Yanjia crossed the line second to take runner-up honors, while Luo Jiewen of Ransu Racing rounded out the podium in third place.

The Helu Tyres 190 Two-Hour Endurance Race, the highlight of the competition, delivered spectacular racing. Held as a one-make race, all competitors rode identical Honda CB190 motorcycles. This event tested seamless teamwork and consistent endurance over the long haul. Throughout the two-hour stint, bikes endured extreme mechanical stress; riders had to master machine control with poise while constantly monitoring water temperature, tire temperature and fuel consumption.

Thanks to the outstanding consistent grip provided by Helu Tyres over long distances, Team 99GYRORT stood out from the pack. The pairing of Zhou Jun and Wu Jie claimed the overall victory through flawless pit handovers and rock-solid pace. Ni Sijie & Yang Wei took second place, with Cheng Jun & Zhou Wenjie rounding out the podium in third.

Clash Down to the Final Second

The touring car races were packed with nonstop thrills, lifting the crowd’s excitement to new heights time and again!

In the SES Super Elite Series – Yixuan Cup, riders engaged in incredibly tight wheel-to-wheel battles. One-make championships have always served as the ultimate test of a driver’s true skill. Fourteen elite competitors took the wheel of identical Yixuan race cars for close quarters duels this round, with gaps measured in mere milliseconds showcasing the pure allure of motorsport.

In Race 1, Li Sitong pulled off a sensational last lap overtake to take the victory. Chen Hanqi and Jin Yufeng finished second and third respectively, separated by less than one second.

For Race 2, Chen Hanqi claimed the top spot. Starting from the back of the grid in Race 1, Chen Yonghuang staged an impressive charge through the field. He not only set the fastest lap of the entire event and climbed up to fifth position, but also secured second place in Race 2 to step onto the podium, perfectly embodying the never-give-up spirit of motor racing. Jin Yufeng kept her composure and drove steadily throughout to finish third. Notably, Jin Yufeng was the sole female competitor in this fiercely contested Yixuan Cup. It demonstrates that motorsport is breaking down gender barriers, where all drivers, regardless of gender, can compete on an equal playing field.

The M60 Endurance Challenge drew 25 race cars from 11 competitive teams to battle it out in qualifying, with nearly 50 drivers taking turns behind the wheel. The one-hour grueling endurance test pushed both man and machine to their absolute limits. In the end, Fang Junyan and Jiang Yifei of Team DELTA, piloting the No.33 GAC Empow, held firm under immense pressure and delivered a dominant late charge. They crossed the finish line first with an outstanding tally of 47 completed laps.

Defending champions Wu Ji and Liu Xiaoling of Team GFT put on a stellar performance in their 718 Cayman, claiming the overall runner-up spot with a marginal gap of less than one second. Su Li from Zongheng Racing drove a Hyundai Verna single-handedly through the full one-hour endurance race to secure the overall third place as well as the Class 1.6NA-A title, demonstrating formidable individual capability.

Besides, every class delivered thrilling diverse competition. Pan Yanqing from Yile Racing claimed the Class 3.0 championship, while Meng Xiangming and Lin Yan of veteran powerhouse Xinlan Racing took third place aboard their Mazda RX-8. You can never predict what will happen next until the chequered flag falls — that’s the timeless charm of motorsport.

Nurture China’s Motorsport Dreams

The intense racing battles treated spectators to an unforgettable visual feast. Even a primary school student who originally came along with his parents just for a casual look shared his excitement in an interview: “I’m totally blown away by the drivers’ incredible driving skills. After watching the races, I want to become a racer myself. I will definitely come to watch events at Shanghai Tianma Circuit regularly in the future!”

As a classic competition now in its 55th running, the Tianma Race Day Auto & Motorcycle Track Carnival has long grown into one of the most influential comprehensive motorsport cultural platforms across the Yangtze River Delta. It offers not only a professional arena for elite competition, but also serves as a cradle nurturing China’s indigenous motorsport culture.

As the venue of this event, Shanghai Tianma Circuit is an FIA-certified standard race track. Having opened to operation back in 2004, it has a 22-year history. It hosts major domestic and international competitions and stands as the starting point for countless racers’ dreams. Leveraging the circuit’s resources, Lisheng Racing Training has helped over 20,000 trainees obtain their long-awaited racing licenses, including many now household-name professional drivers.

Though this weekend’s high-speed carnival has drawn to a close, the engine of China’s motorsport has only just roared to life. Let us look forward to the next edition of Tianma Race Day, to witness brand-new chapters of speed and passion!