Mitchell returns to 2024 British GT 14 | 02 | 2024

LAMBORGHINI FACTORY AND former champ, Scot Sandy Mitchell, will return to the British GT Championship in 2024. The 23-year-old from Forfar will again play a key role in the two-car assault by Barwell Motorsport, writes Jim McGill.

Mitchell, personally-backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Scotch Whisky, and Tunnocks, will pilot the No78 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2. This season he will also forge a new driver partnership, teaming up with experienced racer Alex Martin. (Related: Imperious Mitchell dominates Donington)

The Englishman has raced successfully in championships including the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Ferrari Challenge, and the British Touring Car Championship. In 2023 Martin raced a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the Le Mans Cup series and the Silverstone three-hour race in the British GT Championship. (Related: Mitchell returns to Daytona 24H)

He also completed an intensive test in the Lamborghini, alongside Mitchell, at Snetterton last autumn and will now contest the full 2024 season with the Scot. And Mitchell can’t wait to return to action as he bids to win his second title.

“It’s great to be back in British GT this year, and I can’t wait to start working with Alex because I think we’ll be a really exciting pairing,” Mitchell, a member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, stated. “And I think our car looks great with its new Black Bull and Dextra livery.

“Alex made a successful return to racing last year in Europe and I have no doubt he’ll get straight back up to speed on the British tracks too. We know Barwell will always give us a car capable of running at the front, so it’s up to us to get the most out of the package we have.” (Related: Mitchell impresses on Daytona debut)

Mitchell and Martin form one half of Barwell’s two-car assault on the British GT Championship this year, with the sister No63 Lamborghini being driven by father and son duo, Rob and Ricky Collard. Collard Snr shared the #78 car with Mitchell when the pairing won the championship in 2020.

“This year will be my seventh season both with Barwell, and driving a Lamborghini,” Mitchell, who has already contested the Daytona 24Hrs race in Florida this year, continued, “and it’s great to see the team with two incredibly strong line-ups.

“Every year British GT just gets tougher and tougher, with the level of drivers, cars and teams continuing to get higher. We’ve some of the fastest GT3 drivers in the world fighting for the championship this year, so Alex and I know we’re in for a heck of a fight. But we’re well up for it.

“As a team we made a huge amount of progress with the Huracan GT3 Evo 2 last year. We were learning a lot about what was a brand new race car at the start of the 2023 season. That development continued and by the end of the season we were one of the fastest cars out there, winning the season finale at Donington Park.

“It’s always great to win the last race of the year and we took that high into the winter break. Backed by the strength of the guys in the Barwell team, we’re determined to build on that momentum and hit the ground running from the first race this year.” (Related: Mitchell bags first British GT win of the season)

The nine-race endurance series, held over seven weekends between March and September at the UK’s iconic tracks, including Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington and Snetterton — plus a two-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium — gets underway with two 60-minutes races at Oulton Park on April 1, Easter Monday.

Mitchell’s commitment to the 2024 British GT Championship was welcomed by Ian Logan, Senior Hospitality and Spirits Manager for Black Bull Scotch Whisky. (Related: Mitchell denied third Silverstone 500 win by 1.3s)

“Barwell have pulled together an incredible line-up of drivers for the season ahead and whilst we know Sandy’s capabilities and determination to succeed, it’s great to see Alex Martin added to the experienced team,” Logan said.

Mitchell, meanwhile, can’t wait to get his 2024 British GT campaign started.

“Every weekend this year in the championship promises to be hugely intensive,” the 2020 champ said, “with thrilling, high-speed action-packed races. I know what it feels like to win the British GT Championship and I’ve come close again over the last three years. In partnership with Alex, I’m determined to do everything I can to make sure I win it again in 2024.”

Related: Mitchell named Lamborghini factory driver

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Jim McGill