The Scuderia Ecosse team was at Knockhill Racing Circuit on Friday to reveal the first of its two Ferrari 430GT racing cars. The 2005 British GT Champions', Nathan Kinch and Andrew Kirkaldy, were on hand to speak to the assembled Scottish media about the FIA GT Championship season ahead of them.

Nathan Kinch: "We’re all looking forward to the new FIA GT season. It’s the logical step for us after winning the British Championship last year and it will be interesting to see the level of competition we are up against. We know it will be tough but we have a great car and a great team so we’re feeling good.”

Andrew Kirkaldy: "Moving up to the FIA GT Championship is a big step from British GTs but it’s exactly what we need to do. After dominating the British series we have to go where the competition is and there will be a lot of that in the FIA series. Nathan will be strong as he has been in this Championship before so we have every intention of continuing our winning streak.”

Meanwhile, earlier this week, Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen had their first taste of the 430 at a shakedown at Fiorano in Italy.

Chris Niarchos: "It was great to drive the 430 earlier this week. It is very similar to the 360 but overall it’s a more refined package. Aerodynamically the car has more downforce than the 360 and the engine has more low down power. It’s an exciting prospect to be running such a fantastic car in the FIA and British GT Championships this year. Tim and I are going for victory in the British series and some great results in FIA GTs too. The FIA series is the pinnacle of sports car racing and the format of the race weekends especially suits people like myself who have other commitments during the week.”

Tim Mullen: "The 430 is a great step up from the 360, not through one particular area but through lots of small changes all over the car. Perhaps the biggest difference is the engine which has more torque now.

"The car ran faultlessly straight out of the box which bodes well for the future. Chris and I are really looking forward to doing the FIA GT Championship this year as well as the British GT Championship. It will be great for Chris as he will be doing so much driving this year and the more mileage he gets the quicker he gets so I’m hoping for a great season. Our priority is the British Championship, it has to be, but we want to do the best job we can in FIA GTs and I think we will be right up there.”

The team is due to take delivery of the second Ferrari 430 next week, prior to heading to Southern Spain for an intensive test in Jerez (3-5 April).