Mitchell bags win in Lambo shoot-out 25 | 10 | 2019
SCOTS ENDURANCE RACER SANDY MITCHELL powered his way to a stunning victory in the penultimate round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Championship in Spain today. (Related: Mitchell targets Lambo world title)
And the 19-year-old from Forfar then clinched a top-three finish in the overall championship, despite a freak fuelling issue on his way to pole position for the start of the season finale.
Despite the unforeseen glitch, and ultimately having to start from the pitlane where he joined the back of the 16-car grid, Mitchell and his Italian team-mate Andrea Amici battled back to finish fourth in the race, and seal third overall in the championship.
“Today perfectly sums up motorsport,” Mitchell, backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Whisky, said after climbing out of his No. 1 Prestige Performance Lamborghini Huracán, prepared by Wayne Taylor Racing, at the Circuit de Jerez.
“The team and everyone else has worked tirelessly throughout the season and over the last few days. We won the opening race this morning and were due to start the final race of the season from pole position. (Related: Mitchell seals first wins in the USA)
“Then, on my outlap on the way to the grid, the car suffered a fuelling issue. It’s just one of those things that happens. Thankfully we were able to get it back to the pits, quickly identify the problem and repair it, and then start the final race from the pitlane.”
Mitchell, part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 Junior Program and a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star scheme, stormed through the field. Midway through the 50-minute race, he pitted from fifth overall and fourth in class to hand the car over to Amici.
“Andrea did a fantastic job to bring the car home fourth overall,” Mitchell continued. “It’s a pity we couldn’t end the championship with at least a podium, but to finish third in the championship in my first year is really good. (Related: Mitchell wins Spa 24-Hours Silver Cup)
“This year has been my first season racing on the iconic American circuits, like Road America — where we won twice — Watkins Glen and Laguna Seca, and along the way I’ve set a number of track records.
“So to finish third in the championship, just six points behind the championship winners, and four off second place after 10 races, is pretty good.”
But there’s no rest for the young Scot, Amici and their Black Bull-backed Wayne Taylor Racing Huracan GT3. Over the weekend the duo will now tackle the two-race Lamborghini World Finals, again held over the 2.75-mile Jerez circuit.
These two rounds mark the end of the season of all of Lamborghini’s one-make series, which also includes Europe and Asia, in addition to North America.
It also serves as the ultimate challenge between the best drivers from around the world to decide the world champion of Lamborghini Super Trofeo.
“We’ve shown over the last couple of days that we have a really fast car,” Mitchell stated, “and we know we have the pace, and the team, to win races.
“Overnight we’ll all reset. Of course we carry over the speed we have, but Saturday is a completely new beginning in terms of competition. Now we all have to focus, work together and deliver the world title.”
Related: Last-gasp heartbreak for Mitchell
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Jim McGill