Scots racer falls short of American dream

Sandy Mitchell can hold his head high after performance

Teenage Angus racer Sandy Mitchell bagged a new lap record, fastest race lap and top-three finish in his latest US outing – but still left the States disappointed.

The Letham 19-year-old will consider the latest round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Championship as one that got away after a drama-packed weekend at Virginia International Raceway.

“It’s a weekend which should have been much better – we should certainly have had at least one win,” said Mitchell, who won back-to-back rounds with team-mate Andrea Amici at Road America last time out.

In the opening 50-minute race at the latest round, Mitchell took over the No. 1 Prestige Performance Lamborghini Huracan from Amici midway through and closed the gap to his nearest rival, before being edged onto the grass.

A determined fightback saw the Lamborghini Squadra Corse junior programme driver bring the lap record down three times in the closing laps on his way to a fourth-placed finish.

Another recovery drive was required 24 hours later in the second race of the round after he was run out wide on the first corner.

“I got back up to P2, and then unfortunately made a mistake at a double right-hander,” said the Black Bull Whisky-backed racer.

“We could certainly have won the second race, instead of finishing third in class, but a top-three Pro car finish ensured we still banked some valuable points.

“It could have been a better weekend, but obviously I was very pleased to set another lap record on my first time at the track.”

The last US race of the season takes place at Laguna Seca on September 8/9 with just 11 points separating the Angus teenager from the championship leader in the championship.

The final race of the series will be held during the World Finals at the Circuito de Jerez in Cadiz, Spain, on October 26/27.

Sandy Mitchell, 19, hails from Letham in Angus.