Mitchell returns to BritGT with Black Bull 04 | 03 | 2020

    SCOT SANDY MITCHELL has confirmed he will return to contest the 2020 British GT Championship. The 19-year-old endurance racer from Forfar will drive his Black Bull Whisky Lamborghini Huracan Evo GT3. (Related: Mitchell inducted into BRDC SuperStars)

    Mitchell, who last contested the British GT Championship in 2017, became the youngest-ever race winner when he took GT4 honours at Snetterton in August 2016, aged just 16 years 169 days. (Related: Mitchell bags youngest-ever British GT win)

    “That was a pivotal moment in my career,” Mitchell, recently inducted into the British Racing Drivers’ Club’s elite SuperStars programme, stated. “As a 16-year-old, winning a race in my first season in sportscars, and in the British GT Championship, proved to me that I was capable of competing at the highest levels.

    “I owe the championship a huge amount, certainly in terms of my career development over the two seasons in which I competed. That allowed me to graduate to GT3 racing, and ultimately win races both in the United States and across Europe. (Related: Mitchell Lamborghini World Vice Champion)

    “Now I’m delighted to return to race in Britain, on circuits I know and in a car I’ve raced in during the last two years.

    “I know it’s going to be a huge challenge, racing against the best sportscar drivers in Britain, but I’m coming back determined to mount a serious bid to win the overall British title.” (Related: Mitchell denied Lamorghini World win by 0.137s)

    Sandy-Mitchell-----copy-2.jpg

    Mitchell, whose Lamborghini will again be prepared by Barwell Motorsport, will be partnered in the ultra-competitive series by former British Touring Car Championship race winner Rob Collard. (Related: Mitchell gets Lambo GT3 global role)

    The BTCC veteran, winner of 15 touring car races, will make his full season British GT sportscar debut alongside the young Scot. And Mitchell, part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 Junior Program, is eager to work alongside Collard.

    “Rob has a huge amount of motorsport experience at the highest level of saloon car racing,” Mitchell explained, “and I can’t wait to share the Lamborghini with him. (Related: Mitchell wins Spa 24-Hours Silver Cup)

    “Sure it’s his first season in the British GT Championship, but you don’t win 15 BTCC races without knowing how to handle a car, get the best from it and beat the opposition. That’s something I’m looking forward to doing together.

    Mitchell-Lambo-Action-Close-up.jpg

    “Rob has a terrific reputation in British motorsport and I’ve no doubt we’ll both benefit from working together this season. It’s going to be fun; but ultimately our principal goal is to win the overall British GT Championship.”

    And Mitchell's return to contest the British GT Championship was welcomed by his backer, Euan Shand, chairman of Scottish sponsors, Huntly-based Black Bull Whisky and Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky.

    “Our commitment to support Scottish racing drivers continues with our sponsorship of Sandy Mitchell for the fifth year in a row,” Shand said. (Related: Mitchell seals first wins in USA)

    “Our core brand of Black Bull Scotch Whisky will be emblazoned across the car as well as Sandy’s racing suit and helmet, giving us a great way of promoting our portfolio in the motorsport arena.  We are extremely proud of what Sandy has achieved over the years and we wish him well for the season ahead.”

    Mitchell-Lambo-Action-Lead.jpg

    Fought out over seven race weekends, the championship visits five of the UK’s top circuits, including Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Snetterton. And in addition to two race weekends at Donington Park, the championship also visits Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

    The season starts with two one-hour races at Oulton Park on April 12/13, and finishes with the second of the Donington Park weekends, a two-hour title decider on September 19/10.

    The Blue Riband event of the championship remains the three-hour Silverstone 500 on June 6/7.

    Related: Mitchell bags back-to-back US podiums

    Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars

    Jim McGill

     

User Comments

Login or register to post comments.