Cork racer signs up for British GT season

Cork racing ace, Matt Griffin has moved a step closer to a full time career in motor racing.

The Blarney driver has signed with the Emotional Engineering Sport team to race in this season's British GT Championship.

Griffin and team mate Aaron Slight will drive the EE-Sport run Vauxhall Monaro N-GT racecar in the

series as well as compete in a number of European races.

Last year, Griffin and team mate, Patrick Pearse (Porsche) won the British GT Cup, Griffin set eight fastest laps.

Speaking about his latest move Griffin said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for me. EE Sport didn't have to ask me twice as I made sure to grab the offer with both hands. A new car and a new team for the British Championship should be very exciting."

With motorcycle racer, Aaron Slight completing the partnership, he added: "Having Aaron as my driving partner is going to be unreal. I watched him on TV racing Superbikes and then looking at what he achieved in Touring Cars is totally awesome. I feel it's going to be a fantastic team environment at EE-Sport"

Meanwhile, Allen Orchard, Managing Director, Emotional Engineering said: "Signing Matt (Griffin) to partner Aaron (Slight) creates a very solid driver pairing. Matt has proved himself by winning the GT Cup title in 2003. Along with Aaron the vital ingredients are being added to the Emotional Engineering recipe."

Although they are set to miss Sunday's opening round in Donington Park, the team are scheduled to make their race debut at the next double header round that takes place in Mondello Park in early May.

The championship will consist of 16 races over eight weekends.

The launch of the Vauxhall Monaro road car will coincide with a race during the 2004 race season.

Griffin began his motorsport career in karting and remains one of the few Irish karters to have won a

round of the prestigious British Formula A Championship.

He has competed in the highly acclaimed Monaco Karting Grand Prix (where participation is by

invitation only) and was denied a podium place when the engine seized.

He subsequently moved to single seater racing and competed in Formula Renault UK for

two seasons with Manor Motorsport, the team that honed the skills of current Formula 1 Championship racer, Kimi Raikkonen.