Black Bull, the internationally award-winning Scotch Whisky company, will be returning to the British GT motor racing grid with Garage 59 and the McLaren 570S GT4 for a second successive season.
Unveiling the new McLaren 570S GT4 car with their logo blazoned across it, the Huntly Aberdeenshire based company have sponsored cars within British GT motor racing now for 5 years.
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Taking the new Black Bull Garage 59 car onto the track will be the 2016 Rookies of the Year, Scottish duo Sandy Mitchell and Ciaran Haggerty. Wearing #100 to promote Black Bull’s 100 proof Scotch, the pair amassed a wealth of awards in their first season, being placed third place overall in the championship and two race victories including the finale at Donington Park. A new lap record at Spa-Francorchamps and three pole positions made it a strong debut season.
Crowned youngest driver to ever compete in British GT, Sandy Mitchell, at just 16 years and 169 days, went on to become the championship’s youngest ever race winner when, with Haggerty, they won at Snetterton.
Haggerty and Mitchell will be joined on the grid by SMRC Rising Star Dean Macdonald aged only 16 and British F3 convert 20-year old Akhil Rabindra. Driving a second McLaren 570S, the young-guns will prove to be a major force to be reckoned with. Macdonald has had a triumphant career in go-karting whilst Rabindra has competed in top level national single-seater racing for several years.
Euan Shand, Chairman of sponsors Black Bull Scotch Whisky commented; “We’re thrilled to be supporting British GT motorsport and McLaren’s GT’s Young Driver Programme. We’re a Scottish company flying the flag alongside four outstanding drivers. Last year proved to be a fantastic season for these young drivers. Sandy, Ciaran, Dean and Akhil are the future and we have high hopes for what 2017 will bring.”
Bas Leinders; Team Manager, Black Bull Garage 59 commented; “It’s great to have Black Bull on-board as sponsors for a second year. With Sandy and Ciaran back for 2017 we’re looking forward to building on the success they had last year with our new car. Dean and Akhil will be competing for Rookies of the Year and come into the season following their own success in go-karting and single-seater racing.”
