KIWI MECHANIC RETURNS TO UK AFTER THREE YEARS IN IRL

Rhodri Griffiths Chief Mechanic in 2006 World Series by RenaultRhodri Griffiths has entered back into European racing, following a three-season stint in America’s Indy Racing League. Griffiths now faces the new challenge that Europe will bring, as he runs two cars in the 2006 World Series by Renault, as Victory Engineering’s Chief Mechanic.

Griffiths grew up in Auckland and moved to the UK in 1996 where he worked for seven years in Formula One as a No.1 Mechanic for McLaren’s Test Team. He moved to the United States in 2003 to join Super Aguri Fernandez Racing as a Lead Mechanic in the IRL. Griffiths made his mark on the US racing scene, and despite suffering an injury at the Michigan Indy 400 (2004) when team boss and driver, Adrian Fernandez, spun in the pitlane and knocked Griffiths down, the determined Kiwi continued on into 2005. Griffiths moved to Red Bull Cheever Racing where he was appointed Chief Mechanic for the coming season. With driver, Patrick Carpentier, Griffiths finished the season as the most reliable entry in the IRL, completing 74 laps more than nearest contender, 2005 IRL Champion, Dan Weldon.

Heading to Monaco next weekend for the second round of the 2006 World Series by Renault season, Griffiths is confident about their hopes for the year, running Portuguese driver Alvaro Parente and Japan’s Hayanari Shimoda: “I’m impressed with the cars, and we feel we have a good package for the season. We will just go out there, do our best, and see what happens.”