Tordoff switches to British GT for 2017 season
BTCC runner-up Sam Tordoff will switch to racing in the British GT championship in 2017, partnering up with Liam Griffin in a Barwell Motorsport-run Lamborghini.
Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 to be driven by LIam Griffin and Sam Tordoff
Barwell Motorsport
It was announced last week that Tordoff, who was pipped to the BTCC title in the final race of the season by Gordon Shedden, would not return to the tin-top series in 2017 in order to pursue "new challenges".
The 27-year-old Yorkshireman dabbled in GT racing last year when he contested three European Le Mans Series races in a JMW Motorsport Ferrari 458, having stated his ambitions to race in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Now he makes the switch to GTs full-time as he embarks on a full season in the British championship alongside series veteran Griffin, with whom he will share a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 run under the 'GardX Racing with Barwell Motorsport' banner.
“I am really excited about 2017 as I embark on a new career in GT racing," said Tordoff. "It is something we have looked at pursuing for a while, and when this opportunity presented itself with Liam and Barwell Motorsport it was the perfect time to jump ship.
"I’ve known Liam for a long time and I think together in the Lamborghini we have all the tools in place to mount a serious title challenge.
"The British GT championship is going from strength to strength and I am very aware of the expectations of the team to be at the sharp end of it – I cannot wait to get started!”
Griffin, himself a veteran of three BTCC seasons, finished fifth overall in last year's British GT campaign, having been variously partnered in the Barwell-run Huracan by Fabio Babini, Adam Carroll and Alexander Sims.
Barwell team boss Mark Lemmer added: "Sam has emerged as one of the UK’s most talented and successful star drivers, he has all of the ingredients that we would look for to make a top quality GT driver.
"It is an absolute pleasure to welcome him to the ‘Barwell family’ for his first full season in GTs to partner Liam. I am sure he will benefit from Sam’s meticulous preparation and from it being his second season in the Lamborghini Huracan GT3."
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