All change for Wilpshire rally ace (From Lancashire Telegraph)

All change for Wilpshire rally ace

8:42am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Motor sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

WILPSHIRE rally driver Matt Griffin is set for a change of car and navigator this year as he prepares to take part in the Wyedean Forest Rally next week.

Griffin, who claimed two titles in the MSA English Rally Championship during 2011 and also won his class in the BTRDA Rally series, will work with Shropshire co-driver Chris Spilsted in 2012.

The 21-year-old had been partnered by Joe Cruttenden, from Rochdale, during 2011 but remains confident of another successful year. Financial restrictions have dashed Griffin’s hopes of competing in the British Rally Championship this year but he will continue to take part in the BTRDA Championship — switching from a Mazda2 to a Ford Fiesta ST.

Rallyschool will continue to prepare his car.

Having won the 1400L class, he will now go for glory in the N3 category – part of the BTRDA’s Silver Star Championship.

His first event of 2012 is the Wyedean Forest Rally in Gloucestershire on February 11.

“This is an important year for me as I have moved to a higher class within the BTRDA Championship,” Griffin said.

“I’m going to be competing in a new car for this year, a Ford Fiesta ST, which feels great to drive.

“I can’t wait to drive it competitively on the Wyedean Forest Rally.

“I will also have a change of co-driver for this year, Chris Spilsted.

“He has co-driven for me before so it’s not totally new.”