Reynolds returns to Porsche race series

Melbourne based V8 Supercar driver David Reynolds has confirmed his immediate return to Triple X Motorsport to contest the remaining five rounds of the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series.

Making a last-minute trip across the Tasman for this weekend’s second round of the championship at Ruapuna, near Christchurch, Reynolds will drive the car previously campaigned by Mad Butcher CEO Michael Morton.

Date clashes between the V8 Supercar and New Zealand based summer race series meant Reynolds couldn’t previously commit, however changes to his Australian programme allowed him to negotiate a weekend pass.

“My V8 Supercar entry is pretty uncertain at the moment; the team has known I wanted to do the New Zealand championship as well and with things up in the air believed I could try both,” said the 24-year-old as he completed seat adjustments to drive the #8 Hampsta/Indians Bar Porsche 997.

“I love the Triple X team, these Porsche cars and I have a really good time. It gives me something to do in the off season, January/February when everyone else is training and I’m out there racing. Plus it’s good to keep my mind sharp and keep focussed,” he added.

Having not raced a Porsche since finishing runner-up to Triple X Motorsport team-mate Craig Baird in last year’s championship, Reynolds says he has some catch-up to do: “I want to get used to my car this weekend. Last year I got bumped off by Craig here at Ruapuna, so I want to make amends to that – do a bit better job.”

With the Triple X Motorsport team currently first, second and third in the standings after the opening round, Reynolds says additional competition from former A1GP drivers Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday adds to his focus.

“I’ve never raced against either of them before in a Porsche. And though Craig won the first two races this season, I’ve beaten Craig previously.”

Expecting the fine warm weather to pass in the build-up to the weekend of race action at Ruapuna, Reynolds has two practise sessions today before qualifying for tomorrow’s Mad Butcher 100 kilometre race in the afternoon.

Sunday returns to the sprint format, with a ten-lap race late morning, followed by the afternoon top-six reverse grid 14-lap finale.