Liam Griffin will be joining Barwell Motorsport for the 2016 British GT Championship season as he confirms his drive behind the wheel of the team’s second Lamborghini Huracan.
Griffin, who raced for Motorbase last year, will join team mates Phil Keen and Jon Minshaw in the team for its first season with Lamborghini and he will be joined by two ace co-drivers.
For the first three rounds of the season, bronze-rated Griffin will be joined in the IrishTV backed Huracan by FIA GT champion Fabio Babini for the races Brands Hatch, Rockingham and Oulton Park before Barwell regular Alexander Sims takes over the ‘Pro’ seat for the remainder of the season.
Griffin said: “I thoroughly enjoyed last year and the decision to change teams was not an easy one, but the opportunity to drive a factory supported Lamborghini, run by the Championship winning team, was just too appealing. With Fabio’s knowledge of the car followed by Alexander’s knowledge of the circuits I have every hope that we will be in with a chance of winning the Championship. Last year taught me a lot so hopefully I can use that to pick up the points that will make the difference come the end of the year.”
For Sims, he is happy to be staying with Barwell – where he has had big success in the team’s BMW Z4 – and is pleased BMW were happy to let their works driver sample a different marque’s machinery: “I’m extremely pleased to be able to continue my relationship with Barwell and to work with Liam in British GT. I have to thank BMW for allowing me to dovetail this alongside my programme with them. Working with Barwell over the last two years has been a real pleasure and so to be able to continue that is spot on.
“I am certain that Liam will be right on the pace and fully expect him to be at the front all season long. Although I will not be in contention for overall championship honours, it will still be great to do the 4 races and help Liam and the team fight for the championships.”
Due to some clashes Babini had to sit in for the first three rounds, but the factory driver – and Le Mans class winner – is looking forward to his short stint in British GT: “I’m so happy to race in British GT with Barwell Motorsport and Liam, and I have been always fascinated by the British tracks, overall for the fantastic atmosphere during the races and for the participation of the people! I’m also very happy to enter into the ‘family’ of Barwell and I hope to give my contribution to a winning future! I’m excited to begin the challenge with them!”
