Motorbase will remain a three-car team for the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after confirming Liam Griffin will continue with the outfit in an S2000 Ford Focus.
The 39-year-old missed several rounds last season while the team worked on its new in-house NGTC Focus and at the end of the year announced his intended retirement from the series.
But while his 2012 teammates Mat Jackson and Aron Smith focus on NGTC campaigns, Griffin will return to compete in the inaugural Jack Sears Trophy set up for S2000 cars to continue as more cars switch to the new-specifications.
Team boss Dave Bartrum said: “Last season was very frustrating for him through no fault of his own and I think it felt like unfinished business for him. Liam’s selfless act of stepping down for part of the season helped pave the way for the success of the NGTC project, so we’re very happy to have him back in the Motorbase fold again this year.”
Griffin said he found it difficult to walk away from the championship, and the Addison Lee boss – whose business is one of Motorbase’s main sponsors – said he wanted to enjoy the racing again.
“It [2012] wasn’t the best season for me to be honest, but, having had a little time over the winter break and with the announcement of the Jack Sears Trophy I found it hard to see myself racing anywhere else,” he said.
“I’m realistic in my hopes for the 2013, I’m never going to be competing on the same level as the likes of Mat Jackson and Matt Neal but I do think that I’m capable of mixing it up in the middle of the pack and the Jack Sears Trophy offers up something for those of us further down the grid to focus on.
“Let’s be honest, my BTCC Trophy cabinet’s never going to be full, but at least I’ll have a good shot at one this year!”
