Mitchell wins Allan Simonsen Award 12 | 01 | 2021

    SCOTS ENDURANCE RACER and British GT champion, Sandy Mitchell, has started 2021 by winning the coveted Allan Simonsen Award. It is the British GT’s highest non-championship accolade. (Relatd: Mitchell to defend British GT title)

    Traditionally the award is won by a driver with the same speed and spirit as epitomised by the late Dane who tragically lost his life at the Le Mans 24-Hours in 2013.

    “This is a wonderful and poignant award to win,” Mitchell, the 20-year-old from Forfar, personally-backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Scotch Whisky and who will return to defend his British GT title as a factory driver with Italian supercar company, Lamborghini, admitted. (Related: Mitchell named Lamborghini factory driver)

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    “Allan’s reputation is hugely well respected and acknowledged by everyone not just in British GT, but in sportscar racing around the world.

    “To win the Allan Simonsen Award, and be recognised by the judges at British GT for the performances I delivered last season, is humbling.” (Related: Scot Sandy Mitchell wins British GT Championship)

    Mitchell, a member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club’s elite SuperStars programme, lifted the 2020 British GT title with Rob Collard in their Barwell Motorsport-prepared Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo.

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    And while the young Scot’s campaign also featured two victories — at Brands Hatch and in the season finale at Silverstone — the judges said it was “his individual qualifying and race pace — evident despite carrying additional Silver Cup ballast — that sealed his status as 2020’s standout driver”. (Related: Mitchell bags Euro GT podium)

    Mitchell joins a prestigious list, alongside fellow Scot and two-time recipient of the Allan Simonsen Award, Jonny Adam, plus previous winners Nicki Thiim, Joe Osborne, Phil Keen, Alexander Sims and Nick Tandy.

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    “There are some big names on the list of winners of the award, and I’m delighted to join them,” Mitchell stated. “It’s a fantastic way to start the new year.”

    The Scot will return to British GT action in the traditional Easter weekend double-header at Oulton Park on April 3-5, partnering Adam Balon in the ultra-competitive Pro-Am class.

    Related: Mitchell wins again at Spa24H

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    Jim McGill

    All photographs copyright of Jakob Ebrey

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