It's another challenging circuit next in the shape of Knockhill. I won there in 2003 with the Tech 9/Gruppe M team and also competed there once with the Monaro. It's going to be difficult to find a clear lap in qualifying with the circuit being so small and with the slower GT4 cars around, so trying to get a good lap is going to be key as the races will also be very tough. Knockhill is a long trip, but it adds some good diversity to the calendar and it should provide racing that is good for the spectators and good for the TV viewers.

The fact we have done a test there already will help us going into the weekend, but quite a few of the other teams have also taken the chance to test in Scotland. CRS and Tech 9 – the two winners at Oulton – have both tested there but we have a rough idea of the lap-times they were doing and the lap-times we were doing. We think we found a good set-up for our car and we hope to be competitive. However, at Knockhill, you never know what the weather will throw at you as the sun can be shining one minute, and it can be pouring down the next!

Quickly looking at the car, driving the Ferrari this season is much different to the Porsche and it is hard to compare the two. The Ferrari is certainly quicker, but as a Porsche man at heart, I have to admit that I prefer driving that over the current car. The Ferrari is much easier to drive and doesn't provide the same challenge, it has things like ABS and doesn't even have a clutch so you don't need to use the skill of heel and toe while you are racing. I did my stint in the car at Oulton Park and got out of the car without even breaking sweat, and to be honest with you, I'd prefer the car to be a bit more difficult to drive because then it requires more skill.

The GT2 car I'll race in the GT Open is more of a race car, but even then, the experience isn't as good as being in the Porsche. The car last year just wasn't competitive – so it's just sods law that this year's seems to be a lot better. Instead I find myself doing 36 races this year and all of them in a Ferrari; not bad for a Porsche man!

My schedule is pretty hectic and at the moment, I seem to be either testing or travelling every other day. As an example, next week I have Monday off but then will be heading out to Mugello in Italy to test the GT2 car on Tuesday. After the test on Wednesday, I'll head back home and get the bags packed to head up to Knockhill on Thursday ready for the race weekend. I'll get back to my home near Silverstone at around midnight on Sunday night but then I'm back out to Italy for another two day test with the GT2 car. When I get back, it's another test in the GT3 car so I don't have much spare time at the moment.

It will all die down when the testing comes to a close and I'll get some of my social life back but I shouldn't complain about it. I love being out driving the car, and in Chad Peninsula and AF Corse – who are the factory Ferrari team at the end of the day – I'm in really good position this year and hopefully a good season in 2008 will be the spring board to bigger things.

Until next time,

Matt

http://www.matt-griffin.co.uk/.