Christie is backing young talent on the motor racing circuit, signing a sponsorship deal with Sandy Mitchell, the youngest-ever race winner in the British GT Championship.
Mitchell, who was recently confirmed as a driver in the Black Bull Garage 59 team for 2017 with McLaren GT, started the 2016 season aged 15. He was the youngest driver ever to compete in British GT and, within the season, went on to become the championship’s youngest race winner.
Dale Miller, executive vice president, global sales at Christie, said: “We are full of admiration not only for [Sandy’s] obvious talent but dedication and focus. Christie actively fosters and supports talent within the company in many ways; in the UK we have partnerships with university departments, The National Film and Theatre School and, globally, we offer many young people internships and it’s a core value to train and promote from within. We wish to extend every support to Sandy.”
The Christie logo will feature on the bonnet of Mitchell’s McLaren car as Black Bull Garage 59 goes in to the new season.
Bas Leinders, team manager of Black Bull Garage 59, said: “We are delighted to have Sandy and Ciaran back for 2017. We're looking to hit the ground running and build upon the successes they had last year. With the experience running with the McLaren 570S GT4 in 2016, we are in a strong position going into the new season, and hope to be challenging for podiums and race wins again in 2017.”
Miller added: “As a engineering company ourselves, we have huge respect for McLaren’s expertise and precision – often looking to take fractions off lap times by engineering excellence combined with the driver.”
The opening round of the British GT Championship returns to Oulton Park, UK for 2017, April 15 to 17.