Mitchell bags back-to-back US podiums 30 | 06 | 2019

    SCOTS ENDURANCE RACER Sandy Mitchell bagged back-to-back podium finishes in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Championship at Watkins Glen International, New York. (Related: Mitchell's pole and podium on US debut)

    The 19-year-old from Forfar, backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Whisky and partnered with Italian team-mate Andrea Amici, finished second and third in the weekend’s two 50-minute races.

    “I’m really happy with the weekend,” stated Mitchell, who posted the second-fastest lap in the second race behind the wheel of his No. 1 Prestige Performance Lamborghini Huracán prepared by Wayne Taylor Racing. (Related: Mitchell innocent victim at Paul Ricard)

    “We’ve scored podiums and good points in both races this weekend, following on from my pole position and second place last time out at Barber Motorsport Park. Again we’ve shown we have the pace to mix it at the front of the field.

    “I’m happy with the stints I did in both races. Doing the second stint in the opening race was great, and I was delighted to make the overtake on the final lap to secure second place. It was the least we deserved.

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    “In the second race, I started from third on the grid and was up to second exiting Turn 1. The leader and I then opened a three-second lead to the car in third, but just as I was pushing to overtake, the Safety Car came on-track following an incident involving another driver. (Related: Safety car wrecks Mitchell's Silverstone podium charge)

    “That didn’t help us because it immediately bunched us all up and we lost our advantage over the third-placed car,” Mitchell, part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 Junior Program and a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star scheme, continued.

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    “As soon as the race restarted we pitted for our compulsory driver change. But the pitlane was very busy with cars nose-to-tail, which made it extremely tight for the crew to work. Unfortunately we lost out to the #29 car which leapfrogged us as we exited, dropping us down to third place.

    “Andrea then hounded the #29 car all the way through the closing laps to try and get us back into second, but we narrowly missed out by just 0.664secs.

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    “To leave this iconic American circuit with two podiums, on the first time I’ve raced here, is a real boost and sets us up strongly for the rest of the season. Hopefully in the next race we can finally get the win I believe we and the team deserve.”

    Mitchell will return to the States in August for the next round at Road America in Wisconsin. Before that the Scot will test his Black Bull Lamborghini, prepared by Barwell Motorsport, at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium this week ahead of the gruelling Blancpain Spa24H.

    Related: Mitchell bags Blancpain points at Monza

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    Jim McGill

    Main Photograph Caption: Sandy Mitchell (right) with Andrea Amici on the podium at Watkins Glen.

    Photos copyright of Jamey Price for Lamborghini

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