Motor racing ace Sandy Mitchell has stormed to success in the Angus Alive sports awards in recognition of blistering performances on both sides of the Atlantic.
Just turned 20, the Lamborghini Squadra Corse junior driver captured the 2019 Sports Personality of the Year award as a Reid Hall ceremony in Forfar went ahead on Friday night.
Behind the wheel of a 190mph Lamborghini Huracan GT3, the Letham star had the biggest win of his motorsport career in the Silver Cup category in the 24 Hours of Spa, one of the most gruelling endurance races in the world at the Belgian Formula One circuit of Spa Francorchamps.
2019 also saw the former Dundee High School pupil make his US racing debut with the top-flight Wayne Taylor Racing team in the Lamborghini North America Super Trofeo Championship, recording a double race win at Road America and new lap records at Road America and Virginia International Raceway.
Sandy ended his 2019 season with a win at the Lamborghini World finals at Jerez circuit in Spain, finishing the campaign as runner-up.
The main award’s two highly commended nominees were swimmer Sophie Smith and hockey player Chris Bonnar.
Young sports personality of the year, for the second successive year was tennis player Ben Hudson, who currently sits as GB number one in the 14 and under age group.
Ben represented GB against Italy and won all of his matches and, closer to home, captured both the U18 and U16 Scottish titles.
Para triathlete Ciara Roulston was the winner of the sports personality of the year for people with a disability after successes including the British Super Sprint championship in her S5 category.
Ciara trains with Triathlon Scotland and travels across the country to train and compete as well as volunteering with Kirriemuir running cluster club and as a sport leader.
For his length of service, hard work and dedication with Forfar Road Runners, Ronald Milne, was presented with the outstanding commitment award.
A founder member of the club in 1984, he has held all of the top FRR roles and been heavily involved in organising events including the Forfar 10K, Glen Clova half marathon, Plum Pudding Plod and Forfar Duathlon.
Strathmore Cricket Club netted the club of the year crown after a 2019 which saw the Lochside outfit recognised nationally for their community work, success in the Grey-Nicolls challenge cup and an improved performance in the North East Championship.
After a hugely successful season which saw them win the SWFA Tayside and Fife football league, Montrose Girls Under 15’s took home team of the year trophy.
The coach of the year category was won by Niamh Donnelly for her work with Special Olympics Tayside.
Niamh took on the head coach position in 2019 and coached also athletes as part of the Special Olympics GB athletics squad which attended the World Games in Abu Dhabi.
Club volunteer of the year was Ewen Matthew of Kirriemuir Golf Club for his efforts in boosting participant numbers, particularly with young players through a coaching scheme which has involved 500 local primary pupils.
Forfar Academy S6 pupil Beth Steele was named as school sports volunteer of the year for a commitment to extra-curricular netball stretching across secondary and primary level.
