Griffin hoping to regain #WEC championship lead in Japan

Racing Ace Matt Griffin heads to Japan this week for the 7th round of the FIA World Endurance Championship being held at Fuji circuit.  Griffin rejoins Clearwater Racing along with teammates Mok Weng Sun and Kieta Sawa in their number 61 Ferrari 488 GTe.  This is somewhat of a home race with the team being based in Asia and while it will be Griffins 4th time racing at Fuji, Mok Weng Sun and Kieta Sawa are very experienced at the iconic circuit.

“It’s great to be back in Japan for a race.  So far this year every race has been a trip half way around the world for the team, while traveling to Fuji is no small feat for me, it will be a much easier task for the team and I really think that will benefit us.  It will be my 4th time racing at Fuji and I am really looking forward to it, the Japanese fans are some of the best in the world and the circuit really is amazing and with the iconic “Fuji San” (Mount Fuji) looking over us it makes for an amazing experience.” Matt explained.

The trio will be chasing a 2nd win of the season, after taking their first victory at Silverstone in April.  The team is currently sat in 3rd position in the World Championship, only 6 points off leaders Aston Martin Racing. 

Matt continues, “We have been having an excellent season so far and finishing 2nd last time out in Austin was a real boost.  Our plan was to try to stay in touching in the championship until the series moved to Asia and we definitely achieved that, leading the series for most of the year. We had some bad luck in Mexico 2 races ago which blunted our title challenge. If we do everything right we can win this weekend, which will propel us back to the championship lead.  While the competition will be fierce as always that is what we will try to achieve.”

The last few weeks have been busy for the Cork based driver, racing in three different series including the European Le Mans series in Spa where he finished 4th and the GT Open in Monza where which also ended in a 4th in class.

After Fuji, Griffin moves on to Portugal for the final round of the European Le Mans Series where, like in the WEC, he will be fighting for the Championship.

“Overall 2017 has been extremely busy and the last few weeks have been no different.  Things are going in the correct direction however and I am feeling very comfortable in the car which shows as I am in the championship fight in both the WEC and ELMS”.

The weekend kicks off with two free practice session on Friday 13th October 2017. Saturday sees a 3rd free practice session followed by Qualifying at 14.00.  The 6-hour race will commence at 11.00 on Sunday 15th October 2017.