Garage 59 Confirms Two McLaren 570S GT4s for British GT

Photo: British GT

Black Bull Garage 59 will enter a pair of McLaren 570S GT4s in the British GT Championship this season, with Ciaran Haggerty and Sandy Mitchell returning to the lineup.

Last year, a single 570S GT4, along with a McLaren 650S GT3, was entered under the Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse banner, although the Scottish outfit will not be a part of the factory-backed program this year.

Two-time class winners Haggerty and Mitchell will share the No. 100 McLaren for their second season together, while the No. 59 car will be driven by series newcomers Dean Macdonald and Akhil Rabindra.

All four drivers have been added to McLaren GT’s Driver Academy.

“I’m delighted to be back in the Black Bull Garage 59 car with Ciaran,” said Mitchell, who became the youngest driver to win a British GT pole position, set a fastest lap and secure a class win last season.

“Last year was a fantastic debut season for both of us in sports cars, and we’re definitely looking to build on the success we delivered for the team.

“Ciaran and I work well together both in and out of the car, and we’ll be doing everything we can this season to make a serious challenge for the British GT4 Championship.

“It’s going to be great having two McLaren GT4 cars working together in the same team. We’ll be able to maximise the time we spend on-track during testing to ensure we deliver the best performances we can.”

Sixteen-year-old karting graduate Macdonald makes series debut in the sister car, joined by Rabindra, who follows in Haggerty’s footsteps by making the switch from the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.

“We are delighted to have Sandy and Ciaran back for 2017 and looking to hit the ground running and build upon the successes they had last year,” commented team manager Bas Leinders.

“The experience of the car, the circuits and the championship will help them support the development and transition in to GT racing of their new team-mates – as we saw with them supported by Factory Driver Rob Bell last season. 

“With the experience running with the McLaren 570S GT4 last year, we are in a strong position going into the new season, and hope to be challenging for podiums and race wins again in 2017.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.