Mitchell targets 1000kms Blancpain podiumposted in OTHER29 | 05 | 2019
TWELVE MONTHS AFTER powering his Black Bull Lamborghini to a maiden victory in the Blancpain GT Endurance Series, Forfar endurance racer Sandy Mitchell returns to again tackle the gruelling six-hour, 1000kms race at Paul Ricard. (Related: Safety car wrecks Mitchell's Silverstone podium charge)
And the 19-year-old Scot, who will partner English duo James Pull and Jordan Witt in their Barwell Motorsport-prepared GT3 Lamborghini Huracan Evo, knows he has the car to take top honours this weekend.
“Throughout the opening two rounds of the Blancpain GT Silver Cup this season at Monza and Silverstone, we’ve shown how fast the car is, both in qualifying and the race,” Mitchell, backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Whisky, explained.
“Despite the fact in both races circumstances — weather at Monza and the safety car at Silverstone — have conspired to deny us the results we deserved, especially after our performances in qualifying, we’ve actually scored more points at this stage of the season than we had last year. (Related: Mitchell bags Blancpain points at Monza)
“Now we have to build on that. The 1000kms at Paul Ricard and the next round, the Spa 24Hrs, form the core of the season. There are big points to be won in both races and we have to make sure we all deliver, both on and off the track.”
For Mitchell, part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 Junior Program and a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star scheme, the return to the sweeping circuit in the south of France understandably ignites memories of his maiden Blancpain win last year. And it’s something he’s keen to repeat. (Related: Mitchell bags pole position and podium on US race debut)
“The guys at Barwell delivered a fantastic car that weekend, and it was a dream to drive,” the Scot continued. “Everybody worked their socks off, and we got the result we deserved.
“I know we have the individual building blocks to repeat the result we all enjoyed last year. Hopefully this weekend we’ll get that little rub of the green that’s evaded us so far this season.”
After the two three-hour endurance races which have started the 2019 season, Paul Ricard sees the demands on Mitchell and his two new team-mates increase. Not only must the drivers each complete a two-hour stint, but the race starts in the daylight at 6pm, then runs through dusk into darkness before finishing at midnight.
“Last year, after being the fastest Silver Cup car and P8 overall in my qualifying session, I took that pace into the race, especially in the second half of my two-hour stint,” Mitchell explained.
“It’s a fantastic circuit. Once the sun had dropped behind the hills and the temperatures dropped, the car’s handling came back to me and I was really fast in my second hour.
“This year I’ll do the final two-hour stint in the dark. I’m looking forward to it, because I gained a lot of experience racing in the darkness at Spa last year.
“Paul Ricard is a challenge for everyone in the team, but I know James, Jordan and all the mechanics and engineers are up for it. We’re determined to leave France with our first podium of the year.”
In addition to Black Bull Scotch Whisky, Mitchell is grateful to his growing network of loyal sponsors. These include Scots companies InverTay Homes, Thorntons, Close Brothers, Tunnocks, Stirfresh, Provisio Funding, Celurca Investments, plus Gray & Adams. In addition, Mitchell is supported by Christie Digital, Equinox Design and Flaunt — three companies which operate on the world stage — and Manchester-based Duerr’s.
Related: Mitchell confirms 2019 Blancpain GT3 bid
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Jim McGill