Friday 19th October - Free Practice 1 & 2
With the level of BOP assigned to the Hyundai's yet again Barcelona was going to be challenging for the i30N; and despite the weather forecast Free Practice 1 the was dry and sunny and predicted Reece struggled against the VAG and Honda cars filling the top 10 positions with Azcona fastest in is Cupra. Reece continued to build on his lap times throughout this session but finished the FP1 in P13 which was disrupted with red flags. Free Practice 2 was stronger from Reece pushing into P5 at the mid-way point and closing FP2 in P11 with Tassi fastest in his Honda.
RB “I really love the circuit on my first time here but again our car is very weak compared to the others so we will have to work together to get something from Quali. We did try some alternative suspension settings but we simply don't have any equality in terms of power or right height - so another hard weekend ahead”
Saturday 20th October - Qualifying
The lunchtime start for Quali with sunny conditions and Reece was running well down the field as he prepared his tyres and as he started his fast run with a good tow behind Danny Kroes in the No.38 Cupra only for Danny to slow in the final sector to enter the pits which compromised the last sector and the intended 'tow' to the line for Reece ending the session in P12.
RB “we definitely started the year in the fastest car but not so now; i really struggled to maximise my quali tyre and traffic was horrible. I was pushing hard for row five to get the reverse grid but just fell short; i will be happy if we can finish the races inside the top ten”
Saturday 20th October - Race 1
Race 1 Saturday afternoon was again good weather conditions and the overall attraction of Formula Renault and GT Open attracted a big number spectators to the Barcelona GP circuit for the opening race of the weekend; Reece was starting from P12 for race on and despite a really good start he got shuffled back to P18 with more aggressive first lap manovers. For the rest of the race was the only car on the move forward overtaking at least one car per lap to finish P9.
RB “I got a fantastic start and moved up at least three places of the line but yet again i was the target of the more experienced drivers and got shunted back on the open lap; but from there i had my best racing this season the overtaking was great and to get back to P9 with no damage was very satisfying. We just didn't have the speed to get the car ahead but happy with that”
Sunday 21st October - Race 2
Race 2 Sunday afternoon was again summer conditions and Reece took up his P12 qualifying position on the grid and with an excellent start quickly moved forward to P10 on the opening lap and following the restart after a Safety-car period with three laps to go Reece move onto the rear of the No. 34 Cupra [Paulsen] and Stian with a very wide Cupra held Reece for a back to back P9 with the No.8 Hyundai finishing P10.
RB “I really enjoyed the racing this weekend it was close and fair it just a pity we didn't have the speed to race with the VAG's and TypeR's. Another new track and with the changing conditions with the other formulas it is certainly nothing like racing at home but the circuits are just mega"
“This season has been a mix of excitement and disappointments but overall i need to respect the level of competition and their levels of experience' so overall i'm very happy with my season and i must say a huge thanks to my mechanic Jordan and the entire Target team who have all been very supportive all year. Looking forward to a short break and then getting down to mapping out 2019 ”
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Our mailing address is: reece@reecebarr.com
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