Irishman Matt Griffin missed the 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour race, but after finishing third outright in 2012 and second in 2013 with Asian outfit Clearwater Racing, he said he is determined to return to the Mountain for another crack at a Bathurst win.
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“After doing the Bathurst 12 Hour for the 4 consecutive years it was strange not to be on the mountain this year for the race,” Griffin told Bathurst12hour.com.au.
“I think you can ask any driver and he will tell you either Mount Panorama is the best track they have driven – or is on their bucket list if they haven’t driven there. I definitely want to be back there in 2017.”
The Irishman, who is a former champion in the Blancpain Endurance Series and the European Le Mans Series, is perhaps best known in Australia for his heroic drive in the 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour for the Clearwater team.
Griffin and teammate Craig Baird hauled their Ferrari back into race contention after losing a full lap after suffering earlier damage, ultimately finishing second behind the winning Erebus Mercedes.
Griffin’s mid-race stint, where he pulled back nearly two minutes of track position on the leader – despite battling a badly damaged front splitter – was perhaps the drive of the race.
Noted for his prowess behind the wheel of Ferrari’s finest, the Irishman says he is keen to explore any option to ensure a competitive return to Bathurst next year, looking for his first win at the 12 Hour.
“I am missing the win, so if I can get back to the race in 2017 the goal would be to come away with the trophy.”