Tough learning curve for Parker Revs Motorsport to open Austrian double-header
Parker Revs Motorsport returned to action in the competitive Porsche Supercup at the weekend (June 25-27) as the series headed to Austria for the first of back-to-back races at the Red Bull Ring in support of the Styrian and Austrian Grands Prix.
For this weekend, Pro-Am entrant Michael Crees would race alone, as reigning Porsche Carrera Cup GB champion and Porsche GB Junior Driver Harry King was committed to racing on home soil.
Facing a steep learning curve with just one 30-minute practice session to learn the circuit and familiarise himself with the limits of the undulating 2.6-mile venue, the British Touring Car Championship Jack Sears Trophy holder performed admirably. Despite the lack of time on track, he showed his class and ability in qualifying, running third fastest in class during the early stages.
On a lap which could have vaulted him to pole position in Pro-Am, Michael made a small error into Schlossgold, the tricky downhill braking zone at turn three, and spun into the gravel, ending his session early.
With the setbacks, the team opted to save a set of new tyres for the following weekend, so lining up fifth in class for the race on Sunday, Michael had his work cut out to be competitive but was able to lap on the pace of the leaders, but just had too much to do to overhaul places on track, with a last lap spin meaning he crossed the line seventh in class.
Parker Revs Motorsport will aim to respond in a positive fashion this coming weekend for the second half of the double-header, with round three of the 2021 season taking place on Sunday, 4 July, with practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Michael Crees
“It wasn’t the greatest of weekends sadly. We struggled massively with understeer and the brakes at the end of the race but we'll come back stronger next weekend, where we have plenty of new tyres and we’ll put new brakes on as well. We’ll go through the data and find out where we can improve.
“Practice didn’t go well as I only had half an hour to learn the track, but we were doing really well in qualifying, running third and only a tenth off first in class. I was two tenths up on my next lap but made a mistake and ended up in the gravel, so we decided to save a new set of tyres for next week and run used ones for the race. It’s all a learning curve as we know how tough this series is, and we know how good everyone here is as well. I can’t wait for Harry to get out to Austria next week, show me how it’s done, and increase the amount of data we have.”