Griffin set for final race of ’16

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Matt Griffin heads to the Middle East this week in preparation for the ever-popular Gulf 12 Hour race event due to be held in Abu Dhabi this coming weekend.

Professional drivers, Rob Barff and Nic Minassian will join Griffin piloting the Dragon Racing entered Ferrari 488 GT3.  The Irish driver is no stranger to working with Dragon Racing, having driven for them three times in the past, including winning the Dubai (class) 24h in 2015 and is delighted to be back with the UAE based team.

“Its great to be back with Dragon Racing, which is not just the best race team based in the Middle East, but in my opinion, one of the best race teams in the world.  It is a credit to team principle Leon Price, who has built a world-class team.   It will also be great to race with Rob and Nic.  I have raced with Rob three times before and while it will be the first time I will share a car with Nic, we have been good friends for a long time and I feel that together we will make a very strong team.  Between us we have 25 Le Mans 24h starts so there is definitely no lack of experience.”  Matt enthused.

Ferrari GT driver Griffin has previously raced in the Gulf 12h Race and at the Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit having won this race in 2012.   Griffin also has the advantage of knowing the Ferrari 488 GT3 very well having been involved in the development of the car together with michelotto automobili  as well as having raced the car in the 2016 Blancpain Endurance Series and, as recently as last weekend, in the Asian Le Mans Series held in Fuji, Japan.

Matt continues “the Gulf 12h is a very tough race event, it makes sense that prestigious races like this attract a real quality field so I am expecting a very high level of competition.  In saying that I know the race and the circuit, I also know the Ferrari 488 very well.  We have a great team, a great driver line up and a great race car so my aim is to stand on the top step of the podium at the end to the 12h.”

The Cork based driver has been known to be one of the worlds busiest professional racing drivers and 2016 was no different competing in five different championships, including making his 5th consecutive start at the 24h of Le Mans.  Having already announced part of his 2017 programme, which see’s Griffin return to the British GT Championship, there are big hopes to finish 2016 on a high.

“2016 has been a busy but great season.  I was fortunate enough to compete in some great championships with some great teams.  2017 looks like it will be even busier than this year and its great to have been able to announce part of my programme already, but right now my thoughts are firmly focused on this weekend.”

The event kicks off on with free practice on Thursday15thDecember 2016.  Qualifying will begin at 16.15 GST on Friday 16th December 2016 with the two part race event starting at 09.30 GST on Saturday 17th December and ending at 23.30 GST with a two hour break at 17.30.

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