Rookie Racer Igor Sushko Takes Three Checkered Flags in the Skip Barber Series Season Opener at Virginia International Raceway
Automotive Network President Proves Business Sense and Racing Sense Can Go Hand in Hand in His First Ever Race
GEORGETOWN, Kentucky - In what will likely prove to be a continuing occurrence, Igor Sushko, president and founder of Automotive Network, Inc. (ANI), showed off his racing skills as he piloted a Formula Dodge R/T 2000 to victory not once, but three times. The victories came at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) during opening race weekend for the Skip Barber Race Series at the end of last month.
Sushko competed in the Sportsman bracket, winning races in both the Eastern and Midwest regions. This was no small feat, considering Sushko's rookie status. Even more impressive is the fact that the 19-year-old driver also had faster lap times than not one, but two, professional drivers in his career racing debut.
"He definitely has a future in motorsports if that's what he wants," said Divina Galica, senior vice president of racing at Skip Barber. "He has huge talent."
That talent should come in handy as Sushko and his company proceed full-steam ahead with their Skyline GT-R Speed World Challenge effort for 2006. With three wins now in his pocket, it's clear to see that Sushko possesses more than just an exotic, proven racecar.
During the first qualifying at VIR, Sushko took pole position, placing him up front along the inside for the first race in the Eastern region. Racer Jimmy Holden got out in front of Sushko and held the lead for but a single lap. Coming into the second lap, Sushko successfully passed Holden in turn one and, although hounded, managed to hang onto the lead for the duration of the race, bringing home his first series race win ever. He would then go on to win race two as well.
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Automotive Network, Inc./ Rookie Racer Sushko Tastes Victory at VIR
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"Igor shows a lot of promise. He's going to be very good," said Don Harple, instructor for Skip Barber. "He's a young kid with great enthusiasm, and he's shown he knows how to get it done in the cockpit."
During Midwest region racing, Sushko learned about racing in the rain. Though he went off track, he claimed the fastest lap of the race, and would regain glory in race two. Starting the race at the very back of the pack, he carefully picked his way through the field, after staving off a possibly serious collision. When he crossed the finish line, he won his third race, taking home glory in a truly impressive three out of four outings.
"This was a phenomenal experience for me, and stands as further evidence that we're on the right track for our 2006 Speed World Challenge effort," said Sushko. "Yes, I'm a new driver, and I'll have to prove myself repeatedly before people really start to pay attention. That's just fine by me; I've always loved being the underdog."
More information on the Skip Barber race weekend can be found at [url=http://www.automotiveforums.com/sponsors.cgi?http://www.skipbarber.com/news/article.asp?AID=1505]http://www.skipbarber.com/news/article.a sp?AID=1505[/url].
Automotive Network, Inc is the leader in connecting auto enthusiasts via the Internet. ANI operates AutomotiveForums.com, which was launched in November of 2000. The site has seen tremendous growth since then. Currently, more than 333,000 members enjoy Automotive Forums, with 500 new users signing up daily.
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