Mitchell returns with McLaren GT4 08 | 03 | 2017
FORFAR TEENAGER SANDY MITCHELL will return to the British GT Championship for the 2017 season piloting a 180mph McLaren 570S GT4. (Related: Mitchell and Shedden lead SMRC Awards)
Mitchell, who celebrated his 17th birthday yesterday, was named British GT Rookie of the Year in 2016 after an impressive debut season which saw him win two races. (Related: Black Bull GT4 young guns win again)
This season he will again partner fellow Scot, 20-year-old Ciaran Haggerty from Johnstone. Both drivers carry the prestigious Scottish Motor Racing Club Rising Star status.
The talented young Scottish duo will share the No100 Black Bull Garage 59 McLaren 570S GT4 in all seven rounds of the British GT Championship. Europe’s most competitive sportscar series gets underway at Oulton Park on April 15-17.
“I’m delighted to be back in the Black Bull Garage 59 car with Ciaran,” Mitchell (pictured below), who also bagged two pole positions in 2016, and set a new lap record at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps F1 circuit in Belgium, said. (Related: Roadtest — McLaren 570GT)
“Last year was a fantastic debut season for both of us in sportscars, and we’re definitely looking to build on the success we delivered for the team.
“Ciaran and I work well together both in and out of the car, and we’ll be doing everything we can this season to make a serious challenge for the British GT4 Championship.”
Mitchell, who became the youngest-ever race winner in the championship last year, aged 16 years and 169 days, has attracted the backing of a number of sponsors.
While local companies Thorntons, Close Brothers, Stirfresh and SGM continue their support from last season, Mitchell now has additional backing from Christie Digital and Stampede Global, both of which operate on a worldwide stage.
“I’m really grateful for the support I have received from all the companies that are backing me,” Mitchell, who will continue to juggle his extensive race and test programme with his studies at Dundee High School, continued.
“Without their combined support I wouldn’t be able to race, and of course I have to say a big thank you to Black Bull Scotch Whisky and McLaren.”
While Mitchell and Haggerty will drive the No100 car, promoting Black Bull’s 100-proof Scotch Whisky, they will be joined by fellow Scot Dean Macdonald from Fife, and Indian racer Akhil Rabindra in the No59 Black Bull McLaren.
“It’s going to be great having two McLaren GT4 cars working together in the same team,” Mitchell explained. “We’ll be able to maximise the time we spend on-track during testing to ensure we deliver the best performances we can.”
Mitchell’s decision to commit to the team for 2017 was welcomed by Black Bull Garage 59 team boss Bas Leinders.
“We’re delighted to have Sandy and Ciaran back for 2017,” he said. “We’re looking to hit the ground running and build upon the successes they had last year.
“With the experience of running with the McLaren 570S GT4 last year, we are in a strong position going into the new season, and hope to be challenging for podiums and race wins again in 2017.”
Euan Shand, chairman of title sponsors, Huntly-based Black Bull Scotch Whisky, admitted he was looking forward to seeing Mitchell and his three team-mates deliver on-track.
“Last year proved to be an outstanding season for Sandy and Ciaran,” Shand said, “and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Garage 59 and these young drivers again. Sandy, Ciaran, Dean and Akhil are the future, and we have high hopes for what 2017 will bring.”
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Jim McGill