Friday 7th June 2019 - Free Practice Friday free practice presented another new circuit for Reece and what a circuit with some key technical corner, fast sectors and certainly more than one overtaking opportunity. The weather at Red Bull Ring for free practice on Thursday was sunny and dry and Reece was positive about the long weekend ahead. All three Förch cars seemed to struggle for pace and the day ended with some head scratching and time behind the screens to understand the significant gap to the pace setters. With the extra day on Thursday not really providing anything for the BRDC Rising Star, the one hour Friday practice was even more important to set a base for qualifying the following morning. The number 88 car spent more than half the session in the pits with an electronic issue which needed the Porsche Officials on hand with the Förch team to get it reset and get Reece out for the last 20 minutes. Whilst the Thursday time was improved on Friday the gap was still not consistent with Reece’s pace at Hockenheim or Most. RB: “The circuit here is very unique with the elevation changes. Whilst my weekend has started slowly it’s not concerning me and I’m confident that we will get back to the target gap for qualifying. Yesterday was not the ideal start to a race weekend on a new track due to Easyjet mislaying my kit bag. Today was just unfortunate as a controller malfunctioned in the car at the start of the session and it took half the session to change it out. Over this past two days I have picked up some good points and I’ll be pushing to get a good lap tomorrow in qualifying to start my weekend. The Porsche Talent Pool activities today were great and we have lots more to cover over the weekend. It’s game on tomorrow!” Saturday 8th June 2019 - Qualifying & Race 1 The normal mid-morning start for qualifying was again sunny and Reece was in a positive mindset for what was only his third qualifying in the Carrera Cup car and his second dry qualifying in his Porsche. The session ran for the full 30 minutes with no stoppages and the 88 Porsche found the mark moving around between P10 and P15. With track limits playing havoc the teenager was to finish in P15. The pace in qualifying was really good and only six tenths back from the very experienced pole man. The time was consistent over the two sets of qualifying tyres and within track limits. RB: “That was a tough session and I’m super pleased to get this close to the front guys. It’s another step forward in terms of qualifying which is so important in this championship. I’m still dropping a little in the first sector and I need to sort this for the race this afternoon and get a good start and turn one and three will be close.” Saturday 8th June 2019 - Race 1 Race 1 Saturday afternoon had a start grid position of P19, his second best qualifying time, and Reece was confident in his pace and the car following qualifying. Reece got a strong start off the line and all cars settled into position for the opening first and third corners. Unfortunately having committed into turn four, there was an incident involving car 27 crossing car 50 and 17 and coming back onto the circuit. With nowhere to go, the side of Reece’s car was clipped and damaged, ending the race on the opening lap for the no.88 Cup car. RB: “I got a solid start and the first few corners were tight but fair. When I came around turn four it was carnage on the circuit and unavoidable contact damaged my suspension so I had to pull over. It’s a pity as I had the pace today to finish within the points but with nowhere to go I couldn’t do anything.” Sunday 9th June 2019 - Race 2 Race 2 Sunday morning saw Reece start P12 on the grid, his best grid slot so far and a reward for the good qualifying on Saturday. The racing conditions were fantastic and the fans were out for a big weekend in Austrian Motorsport. The start was again very good with Reece moving into P10 through the first corner, but the teenager’s luck was out again as the car was showing a hangover from yesterday’s damage. The number 88 car dropped back consistently through the field of 30 starters and on lap three it was evident that Reece’s car had issues although the teenager continued and fought back to finish P19 at the end.” RB: “My entire weekend has been a bittersweet experience; the Red Bull circuit and facilities are really cool and I was really looking forward to this weekend. Things have just not come together with our luck all weekend, first Easyjet losing my kit bag, the controller giving up during free practice, the Lechner car going off and coming back onto the circuit in race 1, and then my brakes not working for race 2. This type of weekend can happen to anyone and while the two races didn’t go to plan I was happy with qualifying, my start and even racing the car in it comprised state for race two. Let’s move on to Norisring, a street circuit with no track limits. Being part of the Porsche Talent Pool really helped with my additional challenges this weekend and the insight to the media side of the championship was fantastic. The fitness camp is also always fun. It's a great programme organised by Porsche Motorsport and supported by the ZF Group which gives the junior competitors in the championship real support and enthusiasm. Thanks again to my team Förch Racing and to all my sponsors and supporters for helping me do this sport. I am also really pleased to announce my new relationship with RP2 Global this weekend and we are looking forward to working together on my programme.”
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