![Liam Griffin, Redstone Racing [Motorbase Performance], Ford Focus ST](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Griffin.jpg "Photo: Matt Auger")
Liam Griffin has been confirmed as the first Jack Sears Trophy entrant for the 2013 British Touring Car Championship after re-joining Motorbase Performance.
Having originally announced that he was stepping down from driving duties at the end of the 2012 campaign, the boss of London taxi firm Addison Lee has gone back on that decision and will line up in one of the Motorbase Performance S2000 Ford Focus.
Despite the challenges which 2012 threw up for Griffin, which included him sitting out the events at Snetterton, Knockhill and Rockingham, Griffin admits that he couldn’t see himself racing anywhere else apart from the BTCC.
“I actually announced my retirement from the BTCC at the end of 2012,” explains Griffin, who is heading into his 5th campaign with Motorbase and third in the BTCC.
“It wasn’t the best season for me to be honest, but, having had a little time over the winter break and with the announcement of the Jack Sears Trophy I found it hard to see myself racing anywhere else!
“The BTCC is such a great Championship to be a part of. The whole spectacle of it from the fans and atmosphere to the racing just draws you in and it’s an absolute privilege to be able to be a part of it.
“I’m realistic in my hopes for the 2013, I’m never going to be competing on the same level as the likes of Mat Jackson and Matt Neal but I do think that I’m capable of mixing it up in the middle of the pack and the Jack Sears Trophy offers up something for those of us further down the grid to focus on. Let’s be honest, my BTCC Trophy cabinet’s never going to be full, but at least I’ll have a good shot at one this year!” concludes Griffin, who finished the 2012 campaign 21st overall, with a best result of 11th while his best qualifying came at Thruxton, where he set the 9th fastest time.
With the team having announced that Mat Jackson and Aron Smith will return in NGTC Ford Focuses, which have been built in house, Motorbase team boss David Bartrum is pleased to have Griffin returning for the 2013 campaign.
“I’m delighted that Liam has decided to come back and have another crack at the BTCC,” Bartrum said.
“Last season was very frustrating for him through no fault of his own and I think it felt like unfinished business for him. Liam’s selfless act of stepping down for part of the season helped pave the way for the success of the NGTC project, so we’re very happy to have him back in the Motorbase fold again this year.
“The Jack Sears Trophy offers the perfect opportunity for Liam to compete with his peers and it has the potential to offer up some fantastic racing for the spectators. The S2000 Focus has a strong proven track record, and we have a lot of data on the car that Liam will be able to draw from,” he concluded.