Mitchell bids for another Spa24H podiumposted in GT27 | 07 | 2022
SEVEN DAYS AFTER setting a new British GT Championship lap record at the demanding Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Sandy Mitchell returns to the iconic Belgian circuit this weekend (July 30/31) bidding for a fifth successive podium in the gruelling TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa. (Related: Mitchell re-writes British GT record books at Spa)
Having won his class in 2019 and 2020, in addition to finishing second on his debut in 2018 and third in Pro-Am last year in torrential rain, Mitchell returns to the ‘Blue Riband’ round of the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE) gunning for victory in the new Gold Cup class. (Related: Mitchell storms to Spa24H podium)
The 22-year-old from Forfar will again drive his No77 Lamborghini Huracan Evo GT3 — sporting a stunning new livery for the race — prepared by Barwell Motorsport, and backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Scotch Whisky and Amstutz Produkte. (Related: Mitchell bags another British GT podium)
The Scot will be partnered in the 24-hour race — which has a 66-car grid and is acknowledged as the biggest GT3 race in the world — by England’s Alex MacDowall and Sam De Haan, plus Oman racer Ahmad Al Harthy. And Mitchell, whose lap time of 2min 16.984s in qualifying last weekend set a new British GT fastest-ever lap round the 4.35-mile Belgian track, is eager to get back into action. (Related: Mitchell's Silverstone masterclass)
“Last weekend’s two-hour British GT race at Spa was fantastic. But that was a sprint compared to the 24-hour race we have in GTWCE this weekend,” the Scot, a Lamborghini factory driver and member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, explained.
“I especially enjoy the demands and disciplines of racing for 24 hours. I’ve been fortunate to win the Silver Cup and Pro-Am classes with Barwell, and on two other occasions finished on the podium.
“We all know it’s going to be tough. No 24-hours race is easy. It will be good to team up with Alex again, and I’m really looking forward to working with Sam and Ahmad. (Related: Scot Sandy Mitchell wins 2020 British GT Championship)
“They both have significant wins already under their belts. This year they’re racing together in the European Le Mans Series, and won the GTE class at Imola. Plus Sam won the British GT Pro-Am title in 2019 and Ahmad is a previous winner of the Pro-Am Cup in the Spa 24-Hours.
“We know how fast the Lamborghini is round Spa, and we’ll be looking to build further on that this weekend. Both Ahmad and I have won here in the past and that, allied to the vast experience of the whole crew at Barwell, which has won multiple races in the Spa 24-Hours, means we head into the weekend knowing we have a strong package.
“But we also all know this is a 24-hour race, and anything can happen. That said, we have the foundation, pace and reliability which will allow us to mix it at the front again.”
Related: Mitchell named Lamborghini factory driver
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Jim McGill