Yelkin tops list of area drivers

Five area drivers qualified for the finals at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Ashen Yelkin of Canfield placed third in the Formula Atlantic class to highlight Youngstown-area performances at the Sports Car Club of America's National Championship races held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from Sept. 20-26.
Yelkin, one of five Youngstown-area drivers who had qualified for the national finals, was driving a Swift 008. The vehicle is an open-wheeled, open-cockpit race car that resembles Indy Racing League cars. Yelkin was sponsored by EverClear and qualified sixth,
Atahan Koymen of Youngstown, also driving a Swift 008 and sponsored by EverClear, finished sixth in the Formula Atlantic class.
The others
David Pintaric of Canfield, sponsored by WRP Investments and Kryderacing, placed 18th in the Touring 1 class after enduring tire problems throughout the race.
Pintaric, who qualified 15th, was making his first appearance at the National Championship races.
Csaba Bujdoso of Canfield, driving a Camaro in the A Sedan class, finished 34th after an on-track incident sent him off course.
Bujdoso, sponsored by Hoosier Tire and qualifying sixth, was competing in his third national championship race. He finished fourth in his class last year.
Bill Pintaric Jr. of Liberty, David Pintaric's brother, failed to finish in the GT-4 class due to a mechanical problem encountered early in the race, after qualifying 11th.
Pintaric Jr. was driving a Nissan 200sx also sponsored by WRP Investments and Kryderacing.
During the regular season, he finished first in the GT-4 class in the SCCA Northeast Division. The GT-4 class is comprised of purpose-built race cars that are based on production built automobiles.
Each of the five area drivers qualified for the SCCA National Championship races by placing in the top 10 of his respective class.