Angus teenager Sandy Mitchell returns to British GT Championship action this weekend – targeting the GT4 title in his 180mph Black Bull Garage 59 McLaren 570S
Twice a race winner in his 2016 debut season, Mitchell became the series’ youngest ever victor and shared Rookie of the Year honours with teammate and fellow Scot Ciaran Haggerty.
Now 17 and legally able to get behind the wheel of a road car – with L-plates of course – Dundee High pupil Mitchell will again partner 20-year-old Haggerty and the pairing hope to hit the ground running at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
“Pre-season testing has gone very well so we’re feeling positive heading into the first round,” he said.
“We identified a couple of things we can improve in relation to the set-up, but overall the tests were excellent.
“Our lap times were good too, but of course, we won’t know where we really stand until the first qualifying session. But we’re feeling quietly positive.”
Mitchell has tested the McLaren at Oulton, Rockingham and Silverstone in the build-up to this weekend’s race.
“It’s been a while since we won the final race of the season at Donington last year so I can’t wait for the race weekend buzz,” added Mitchell, who has added vital backing from worldwide outfits Christie Digital and Stampede Global to local companies Thorntons, Close Brothers, Stirfresh and SGM who continue their support from last season
“Primarily we’re focusing on challenging for race wins right from the start of the season.
“If we manage to consistently push for wins and bag podiums, that will evolve into us challenging for the championship as we get towards the end of the season.
“Obviously the GT4 title is the ultimate goal.
“We’ve got the champions from last year back, so it’s going to be a tough grid, but we’re determined to do everything we can to push for the title.”
