Sandy Mitchell and Pfaff Motorsports claimed a second-place finish in the GTD Pro class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the Detroit Grand Prix, securing the first Pro Class podium result for Lamborghini’s new Temerario GT3 programme.
Sharing driving duties with fellow Lamborghini factory driver Andrea Caldarelli, Mitchell helped guide the No.9 entry from tenth on the grid to a runner-up finish around the challenging Detroit street circuit.
The result came in just the third competitive outing for the Temerario GT3 and marked Mitchell’s first IMSA podium since joining Pfaff Motorsports for his first full season of competition in the series.
Detroit presented a steep learning curve for the Scottish driver, who was making his maiden appearance at the temporary street circuit. After a difficult start to the weekend, Mitchell delivered a strong opening stint in the 100-minute race, moving the car forward through the GTD Pro field before handing over to Caldarelli.
A pair of late-race caution periods set up a dramatic finish, with the Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini well placed to capitalise as incidents and penalties affected several of the cars ahead. The team ultimately crossed the line second in class to secure a landmark result for both the programme and manufacturer.
Sandy Mitchell: “That was a really satisfying result for everyone involved. We didn’t quite have the pace we wanted early in the weekend and qualifying was challenging, so to come away with a podium feels like a reward for the work the team put in throughout the event.
“Detroit is a difficult circuit with very little room for error. The key was staying out of trouble, executing our race properly and making the most of the opportunities that came our way.
“It’s great to be part of the first GTD Pro podium for the Temerario GT3. A lot of people have worked incredibly hard on this project and hopefully this is the first of many strong results to come.”
Will Fewkes, Fewkes Huff Management Co-Founder: “Detroit was a good example of what Sandy brings to a programme. It was a demanding weekend, a new circuit for him and a highly competitive GTD Pro field, but he stayed composed and delivered exactly what was needed.
“To help secure the first Pro Class podium for a brand-new GT3 car in one of the world’s toughest GT championships is a significant achievement for Sandy, Andrea, Pfaff Motorsports and Lamborghini.
“On a personal note, it’s also a real pleasure to be able to see a Fewkes Huff Management athlete on an IMSA podium in Detroit having grown up in Farmington Hills, which is where my interest in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship first began”
Rob Huff, Fewkes Huff Management Co-Founder: “It was an incredible race from Sandy. Watching him hunt down those ahead of him, while also skirting that fine line between securing a trophy or ending up in the wall, was a pleasure to watch.
“The Lamborghini Temerario GT3 is still a developing package, so it is a testament to Sandy, Andrea and the team to have boxed smart and come away with this result. I’m sure this is the first of many podiums to come in the future for the Temerario and Lamborghini.”
Mitchell will return to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship action later this month at Watkins Glen as the championship heads into one of the busiest periods of the season.
