Friday 3rd May 2019 - Free Practice
Friday was impressive and it was exciting to see all 31 competitors on the track in full ‘race trim’. With the weather forecasting rain for Friday and Saturday the wet dimension was new for Reece as the teenager was yet to get his first wet run in the Porsche. The Friday free practice started on slicks but on lap six the rain came and all drivers finished the session on wets. This proved the importance of times set in the open first five laps as Reece continued to improve his pace on new tyres.
RB “I love the Hockenheim circuit but not having any wet miles completed in car made it difficult out there, so for me it was more a short ‘familiarisation in the wet’ session. It’s my sixth day in the car so I need to be patient and continue to build with every run and variable; the car was great and it works well in the wet, I just need to find the limits while keeping it on the black stuff!”
Saturday 4th May 2019 - Qualifying & Race 1
The mid-morning start for Quali was super wet conditions and Reece was in good spirits to take on the challenge of his first wet qualifying in the Porsche. The track was busy with 31 cars and Reece was dealing well with very tricky circuit conditions, and brought his 88 car back in P23.
RB “Yeah it was certainly difficult out there to push this level of ‘horse power’ with no sense of limits. I’m just happy to bring the car home with an improved wet time and add to my knowledge for Race 1 this afternoon which is also forecast to be wet. My opening phase of qualifying was good on the used tyre but I just didn’t maximise the new tyre run”
Saturday 4th May 2019 - Race 1
Race 1 Saturday afternoon was yet again another variable for Reece with all cars set for a wet race; the pre-running DTM cars were creating a dry line which saw the entire Porsche field change to slicks as they moved to the assembly area for Race 1. Starting from P23, Reece got a great start, moving up three places and the opening lap was also strong from the teenager as he avoided some ‘firm’ moves. Passing on the dry line was proving difficult for all drivers but Reece kept his cool and moved forward to finish a very challenging race in P15 and within the points.
RB “I got a great start and picked up a few places off the line and then the first two laps - yeah it was hectic but I avoided all the mess on the opening lap and was really happy to move forward to the next bunch. With my qualifying position I’m really happy to move up to P15 in such a close and experienced championship”
Sunday 5th May 2019 - Race 2
Sunday mid-morning was again different with clouds and sunshine and Race 2 of the weekend was set for slicks in full dry conditions. Reece was starting again from his qualifying position, P23. Another top start off the grid saw Reece move forward in the opening lap and with a solid safety car restart on lap 3 finished Race 2 in P15.
RB “I really enjoyed both races and I'm taking lots away from this weekend. Really happy with my starts and opening laps but its all about the starting grid position. It was unfortunate to get my first wet laps during this weekends qualifying but it was also good to get the experience of driving the Cup car in the wet.
We definitely made the right decision on this move and with the support from Robert and Sigi at Förch Racing, and from Wolf and the Porsche Talent Pool Team, I’m really confident as we move our focus to Most in two weekends time. I would also like to thank my preparation coach, Ben Barker, and all of my sponsors and supporters for making this happen.
It was a nice surprise to get invited to ‘Sunday lunch’ with Alexander Pollich,CEO of Porsche Germany, and Bastian Schramm, Marketing Director, who both provided a particular interest as the top men of the Porsche operations."
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Our mailing address is: reece@reecebarr.com
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