Austrian Simon Reicher probably did not expect the season-opener he experienced this past weekend (April 13-15, 2018) in Oschersleben. The ADAC TCR Germany traditionally began its 2018 season in the support program of the ADAC GT Masters on the 3,667 meter long track in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. What an up-and-down of emotions he experienced! “I can’t believe it. My team prepares a perfect car for me and then I make a stupid beginner’s mistake”, a frustrated Simon Reicher criticized himself.  But one thing at a time – what had happened?

Simon Reicher and his new team YACO Racing had been preparing for the new season for months. Just a few days ago, the 18-year-old rejoiced over the fact that his “perfectly prepared team” would allow him to race among the top ten drivers this season. The youngster confirmed this assumption in the free practice sessions, placing his #54 Audi in the top positions of the timing monitor. “The car was really good. The Audi’s traction and speed in the curves was like never before. I must say my team did a perfect job there”, the eighth-grade student from the Felbertal High School was visibly impressed by his team’s performance. And rightly so – after second place in the final free practice, Reicher crossed the checkered line as fifth in qualifying, securing himself the third starting row for both races.

After a successful start into Saturday’s race, the Kirchberg-native kept himself out of almost all fights and took home a fantastic fourth place finish. “There was potential for a bit more, had a competitor not bent my tie rod. I had a crooked steering wheel on the straights, which cost me quite a bit. Therefore, I was busy defending my position rather than attacking third place”, reports the young Austrian. So far, the weekend was very promising for the sympathetic racer. But already the first lap of the Sunday race changed a great season start into an emotional up-and-down. “I lost rear traction in the Triple (a triple left-hander combination), saved the first swerve, but completely lost the car during the second swerve – so unfortunate! And so frustrating because it was simply my own fault. I am very sorry that I also took out some innocent competitors while returning on to the track. The weekend started so well, but what a mess it’s turned into”, the YACO Racing driver sums up self-critically. And even though his Audi RS3 LMS looked quite banged up after Sunday’s incident, all parties agree that the car will return to the track in best shape in just 10 days at the Czech Autodrom Most. Reicher must now overcome the weekend’s experience as fast as possible and tackle the next race: time to focus on the goals. Simon Reicher explains: “When you drive farther back in the field, you have the first two laps to still test and prepare the brakes and tires a bit. That’s no longer possible at the front. On the contrary, you’re actually braking a little bit too late when you’re racing at the front of the pack. Starting this far up the grid was a new situation for me and I’ll have to do it better next time.”

Reicher’s next opportunity awaits him from April 27 through 29 at Autodrom Most for the second race of the ADAC TCR Germany. “I am very familiar with the 4,222 meter track from my times in the Clio Cup and from testing there with my team.” As sixth in the championship, Reicher hopes to come back stronger and build upon his promising speed from last weekend. The races will be broadcast live on Sport 1 TV and streamed on sport1.de