Teenage Angus racing star Sandy Mitchell delivered a scintillating LMP3 Cup debut to bag a podium place with teammate Sir Chris Hoy.
The Angus 17-year-old won the opportunity to partner the Olympic cycling legend in the United Autosports Ligier JS P3 through the Sport Insure young driver initiative after topping a public vote from a shortlist of 10 of the UK’s best young racers.
And the Letham teenager fully vindicated his selection with a storming stint in the Saturday’s one-hour race to take the five-litre 420bhp V8 machine to second place
Hoy was involved in a tight tussle throughout his opening spell and Mitchell rejoiced in sixth spot at the midway handover.
The British GT youngster then went on a charge through the field to second at the chequered flag in a United Autosports one-two.
Mitchell was also just a shade off race winner and United Autosports professional driver Matt Neil’s fastest lap.
In Sunday’s second race, 41-year-old Hoy qualified the #32 machine in second place and grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the rain-soaked season finale.
But he spun the car in the treacherous conditions, before delivering a fine recovery drive for the handover to the Courier Country youngster, who held fifth position before a crash involving the lead car of series champions Ecurie Ecosse brought an abrupt halt to the race.
Mitchell said he was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to drive the car and partner the famous fellow Scot.
“Finishing on the podium on my LMP3 debut is a dream. I can’t thank United Autosports, Sport Insure and Chris enough.
“I had a good drive and really enjoyed every minute of it,” added Sandy.
“The second race was a bit tougher, it was very wet and you had to be really careful out there.
“It’s been a steep learning curve but I really have taken so much from the experience and am so grateful to have been given the opportunity,” he said.
Hoy has said he’ll be watching the young driver’s career with interest.
“On the whole it was a fantastic weekend and I’m so grateful I had this opportunity,” said the cycling legend.
“It was great to meet Sandy. I’ll be watching his career in the future and it will be nice to say I raced with him when he’s a big superstar in the future.
“To get on the podium was something we really didn’t expect. While I’m disappointed with race two, to get a second place in race one and to start on the front row in race two was great and I had a really good time.”
Mitchell returns to Donington this coming weekend for the final round of the British GT championship in the Black Bull Garage 59 McLaren 570 GT4.
