Matt Griffin is undoubtedly one of today’s busiest GT drivers. Moreover, the Irishman who hails from Cork but is now based in a more logistically-favourable Northamptonshire, has gained a solid reputation over the last twelve months for being fast, reliable, and the ‘go to’ driver in a Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 in three different championships and one-off endurance events.
In 2011 he enjoyed qualifying or race success in the British GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series, and begun 2012 in the best possible way by winning the Abu Dhabi 12 Hours in January and gaining a podium finish at the Bathurst 12 Hours in February.
Griffin, 29, has now finalised plans for a full calendar of events for 2012 which will see him step up to GTE-Am category in the European Le Mans Series with Championship-winning Italian team, AF Corse. He will be driving with Piergiuseppe Perazzini and Marco Cioci. He will also be competing in the British GT Championship and the burgeoning Blancpain Endurance Series with the British MTECH team alongside talented gentleman driver, Duncan Cameron. The duo finished 4th in the British series in 2011, hampered in the standings by an early season retirement, and are gunning for the title this year.
Matt, who has strong links with Michelotto, the Italian manufacturer which developed the Ferrari 458 Italia for competition in the GT2 and GT3 categories, can’t wait for the new season to begin. “I consider myself very privileged to be able to drive the F458 at so many races this year, and have got to know it really well over the last year. I’m very excited about stepping up to GT2 level in a top championship like the ELMS with a top team such as AF Corse; GT2 racing is where I want to be.
“At the same time, the European-based Blancpain Endurance Series is going to be incredible to be involved in. It’s shaping up to be one of the top GT championships in the world with a huge entry list of over 50 cars, lots of the world’s best pro-drivers, and potential for massive success.
“Duncan and I have been very close to top British GT honours over the last few years so hopefully luck will go our way this year…well, it’s probably more a question of cancelling out bad luck and putting ourselves in a good position. MTECH have made some very positive technical changes over the winter which will move us forward, and I believe we will be stronger than ever for both the BES and British GT.”
Matt’s first ELMS race meeting will be the 6 Hours of Le Castellet in the South of France on 1st April, followed a week later by the opening round of the British GT Championship at Oulton Park, Cheshire from the 7-9th April.
Source : Matt Griffin