Mitchell fired-up for British GT defence 18 | 05 | 2021

SCOTS ENDURANCE RACER and British GT champion, Sandy Mitchell, is ready to launch a “maximum attack” when he starts the defence of his title in the opening two-hour race at Brands Hatch this weekend (May 22/23). (Related: Mitchell to defend British GT title)

The 21-year-old from Forfar will again pilot his Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo, prepared by Barwell Motorsport, in this year’s British GT Championship. The Scot will partner England’s Adam Balon in the ultra-competitive Pro-Am class.

Mitchell, who also confirmed he will again be personally backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Scotch Whisky, admitted he’s looking forward to getting back into race action six months after he clinched the 2020 title at Silverstone. (Related: Scot Sandy Mitchell wins British GT Championship)

“It’s been a long off-season, so I can’t wait to get back on to the race track and go racing,” the Scot, now a Lamborghini factory driver, in addition to being a member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club’s elite SuperStars programme, said.

“I’m looking forward to switching to the Pro-Am class in British GT, instead of the Silver class I contested last year, and to attacking the championship. Plus I won’t have the extra weight we had to carry in the Silver car. (Related: Mitchell named Lamborghini factory driver)

“The way the championship is organised this year, being much more set out for Pro-Am, will make it very competitive and the field very close. The top five to 10 cars are going to be exceptionally close in terms of lap times and race pace.

“I think it will be really exciting and I’m looking forward to stepping things up in the British GT. It’ll be maximum attack.”

Mitchell, who partnered former BTCC race winner Rob Collard in the No78 Lamborghini last year, is looking forward to working with his new team-mate Balon. (Related: Mitchell extends Tunnock's link)

“We’ve tested already this season at Silverstone and Snetterton,” he continued. “Adam seems to be really happy with the car and I think the Barwell Lamborghini is performing well.

“I’ve built up a good relationship with Adam and I think we’re working really well together. We both feel comfortable and confident in the car, which is important. We’re looking forward to getting down to business in the season-opener at Brands Hatch. We have a good partnership, a great car package and I definitely think we’ll be competitive this season. We’ll definitely be in the hunt for race wins.” (Related: Mitchell strengthens Scots Lamborghini ties)

And the Scot was quick to deflect any thought that returning as defending champion would place him under more pressure this season.

“It certainly won’t make a difference to me,” Mitchell, who won the corresponding race at Brands Hatch last season, explained. “I feel it’s quite different in terms of the fact I have a different team-mate and we’re in a different class within the championship. Plus the whole championship has a different look to it now that it’s focused on the Pro-Am and Silver-Am pairings. (Related: Mitchell wins Allan Simonsen Award)

“It feels quite new and different. So I’m not really thinking about the fact that I’m the reigning champion. If I’d come back with Rob and everything was the same again in terms of the car and the class, then it would be different. I’d probably feel a bit more under pressure to try and repeat what I did the previous year.”

Another thing which has changed this year is the fact Mitchell’s Lamborghini will not only be bright green, instead of the previous black livery, but most importantly it will carry the No1 decal. But it’s not a first for the Scot.

“I ran with the No1 on my kart after I won the British Junior Karting Championship in 2014,” he reflected. “But I have to admit it looks pretty cool on the Lamborghini.”

Also prominent on the car is Black Bull Scotch Whisky. The award-winning Huntly company has extended its partnership with the talented young Scot for a sixth season.

“Black Bull has been with me right through my sportscar career, and they have been crucial in helping me develop to a level which has seen me crowned British GT champ,” Mitchell said. “I owe them, and specifically co-owner Euan Shand, a huge amount of thanks.”

And Shand, chairman of Black Bull’s parent company Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, is looking forward to another year of success with the Scot.

“We are delighted to extend our sponsorship of Sandy Mitchell for a sixth year,” Shand said. “Sandy is a great ambassador for the sport and with his burgeoning success he is also a fantastic ambassador worldwide for Scotland. We wish him all the best for the season ahead and hope he can retain the championship again.“

This weekend’s race at Brands Hatch is the first of nine British GT races spread across seven events and six circuits, culminating in the final two-hour race at Donington Park in October.

Related: Mitchell wins again at Spa24H

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Jim McGill