Salih Yoluç
Salih Yoluç | |
---|---|
![]() Yoluç in 2018 | |
Nationality | ![]() |
Born | [1] Istanbul, (Turkey) | 22 August 1985
European Le Mans Series career | |
Debut season | 2015 |
Current team | Racing Team Turkey |
Racing licence | ![]() |
Car number | 34 |
Starts | 19 |
Wins | 7 |
Podiums | 14 |
Poles | 4 |
Fastest laps | 1 |
Best finish | 1st in 2022 |
Previous series | |
2020 2019 2018 2015 | 24 Hours of Le Mans 24 Hours of Spa FIA GT Nations Cup Dubai 24 Hours |
Championship titles | |
2023 2022 2019 | Asian Le Mans Series European Le Mans Series Blancpain Endurance Cup |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/TF_Sport_Aston_Martin_Vantage_GTE_Yoluc_Silverstone_2018.jpg/220px-TF_Sport_Aston_Martin_Vantage_GTE_Yoluc_Silverstone_2018.jpg)
Ahmet Salih Yoluç[2] (born 22 August 1985, Istanbul)[1] is a Turkish racing driver.[3] As a bronze-ranked competitor, Yoluç has taken notable accolades in sportscar racing, including the 2020 LMGTE Am class victory at Le Mans, the Pro-Am title in the 2019 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, as well as the 2022 European Le Mans Series and 2023 Asian Le Mans Series championships in the LMP2 category.[4][5][6]
Early GT career
[edit]Yoluç started his racing career in 2015 with Optimum Motorsport in the British GT Championship. Despite two driving standards-related disqualifications in that championship, the Turkish driver was able to taste success in his maiden season, winning the Dubai 24 Hour race.[7]
At the end of 2015, he made a move to what would become his long-term team, TF Sport, and competed in the GT3 Le Mans Cup. There, Yoluç and Euan Hankey finished second in the drivers' standings with two victories, though they would win the teams' title.[8] He and Hankey also drove in International GT Open during the same year, winning two races on their way to sixth place overall.[9]
For the 2017 season, Yoluç moved into the LMGTE class of the European Le Mans Series alongside Hankey and Aston Martin factory driver Nicki Thiim.[10][11] The trio fought for the title throughout the year, winning the season opener at Silverstone and taking podiums in five races, though they missed out to JMW Motorsport by merely two points. That year, Yoluç also raced in the Pro-Am class of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup.[12] Competing in the final three races, Yoluç would help teammates Jonathan Adam and Ahmad Al Harthy to two podium finishes, including second in class at the 24 Hours of Spa, which earned them the Pro-Am title. In addition, Yoluç became the first ever Turkish driver to compete in 24 Hours of Le Mans.[13] He finished seventh in class.
Yoluç switched to the FIA World Endurance Championship for its "Super Season", partnering Charlie Eastwood on a full-time basis.[14] Despite a late retirement at Le Mans, the team performed well, scoring four podiums to end the season in third. In 2019, Yoluç and Eastwood also raced in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, winning the Pro-Am Cup title after triumphing during the 24 Hours of Spa.[15]
During the second half of 2019, the Turkish-Irish pair would join Jonathan Adam in the WEC with TF Sport. During the season held over two years, the trio won the LMGTE Am category at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans and took the runner-up spot in the championship with three further wins.[16][17]
Prototype career & ranking upgrade
[edit]Yoluç switched to prototypes in 2021, racing an Oreca 07 in the LMP2 class of the ELMS with the TF Sport-offshoot Racing Team Turkey.[18][19] Alongside Eastwood and Harry Tincknell, the Turkish driver was able to celebrate a lone victory at Le Castellet, though they would end up fourth in the LMP2 Pro-Am standings after a crash in practice prevented them from taking part in the final round.[20][21] Yoluç and Eastwood returned with RTT for the 2022 season, this time teaming up with Jack Aitken.[22] The outfit was dominant in the Pro-Am class, winning four races on their way to the title.[23][24]
Ahead of the main 2023 campaign, Yoluç and Eastwood, who would be going into their sixth year as teammates, drove alongside Ayhancan Güven in the Asian Le Mans Series with DKR Engineering.[25] With a win in Abu Dhabi and three further podiums, the trio took the LMP2 title.[26][27][28] For their European season in the ELMS, Yoluç and Eastwood were joined by Louis Delétraz, who immediately helped them towards the overall race victory at Barcelona.[29][30] Another class win in France followed, but issues at Aragón and a spin in the first Algarve event from Yoluç demoted the lineup to third in class.[31][32][33][34] At Le Mans, Yoluç retired during the evening, having hit the Prema of Filip Ugran.[35]
During the winter, Yoluç and Eastwood took part in AsLMS alongside Michael Dinan, where the Turkish driver scored two pole positions but only ended up seventh in the teams' standings, before he was upgraded to an FIA silver-ranked competitor ahead of the 2024 season.[36][37] As that meant that he could no longer compete in the ELMS's Pro-Am class, Yoluç moved into the Gold Cup category of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup with Eastwood, as well as partaking in several events of the GTD category of the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Lone Star Racing.[38][39]
Racing record
[edit]Career summary
[edit]24 Hours of Le Mans results
[edit]Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Aston Martin Vantage GTE | GTE Am |
329 | 35th | 7th |
2018 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Aston Martin Vantage GTE | GTE Am |
304 | DNF | DNF |
2019 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Aston Martin Vantage GTE | GTE Am |
327 | 42nd | 11th |
2020 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Aston Martin Vantage AMR | GTE Am |
339 | 24th | 1st |
2023 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Oreca 07-Gibson | LMP2 | 87 | DNF | DNF |
LMP2 Pro-Am | |||||||
2024 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Ferrari 296 GT3 | LMGT3 | 112 | DNF | DNF |
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rank | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018–19 | TF Sport | LMGTE Am | Aston Martin Vantage GTE | Aston Martin 4.5 L V8 | SPA 2 |
LMS Ret |
SIL 2 |
FUJ 2 |
SHA 8 |
SEB 6 |
SPA 2 |
LMS 6 |
3rd | 99 |
2019–20 | TF Sport | LMGTE Am | Aston Martin Vantage AMR | Aston Martin 4.0 L Turbo V8 | SIL 7 |
FUJ 1 |
SHA 1 |
BHR Ret |
COA 1 |
SPA 3 |
LMS 1 |
BHR 8 |
2nd | 154 |
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | Class | Make | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Lone Star Racing | GTD | Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo | Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8 | DAY | SEB | LBH | LGA | WGL | MOS | ELK | VIR | IMS | PET |
Complete European Le Mans Series results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Rank | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | TF Sport | GTC | Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 | Aston Martin 4.5 L V8 | SIL | IMO | RBR | LEC | EST 5 |
11th | 10 | |
2017 | TF Sport | GTE | Aston Martin Vantage GTE | Aston Martin 4.5 L V8 | SIL 1 |
MNZ 2 |
RBR 3 |
LEC 2 |
SPA 5 |
ALG 3 |
2nd | 102 |
2021 | Racing Team Turkey | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | CAT 15 |
RBR 4 |
LEC 6 |
MNZ 7 |
SPA Ret |
ALG WD |
11th | 29.5 |
2022 | Racing Team Turkey | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | LEC 6 |
IMO 7 |
MNZ 7 |
CAT 10 |
SPA 6 |
ALG 6 |
8th | 38 |
Pro-Am Cup | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1st | 131 | ||||
2023 | Racing Team Turkey | LMP2 Pro-Am | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | CAT 1 |
LEC 1 |
ARA 9 |
SPA 2 |
PRT 6 |
ALG 4 |
3rd | 94 |
Complete Asian Le Mans Series results
[edit]Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Rank | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-2019 | United Autosports | LMP2 | Ligier JS P2 | Nissan VK45 4.5 L V8 | SHA 3 |
FUJ 5 |
CHA 6 |
SEP Ret |
8th | 33 | |
2023 | DKR Engineering | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | DUB 1 2 |
DUB 2 2 |
ABU 1 3 |
ABU 2 1 |
1st | 76 | |
2023–24 | TF Sport | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | SEP 1 7 |
SEP 2 8 |
DUB 5 |
ABU 1 4 |
ABU 2 6 |
8th | 42 |
Complete Formula Regional Asian Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Pinnacle Motorsport | ABU 1 17 |
ABU 2 Ret |
ABU 3 Ret |
DUB 1 23 |
DUB 2 21 |
DUB 3 21 |
DUB 1 25 |
DUB 2 22 |
DUB 3 21 |
DUB 1 21 |
DUB 2 24 |
DUB 3 26† |
ABU 1 25 |
ABU 2 21 |
ABU 3 24 |
36th | 0 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Salih Yoluc career profile, Driver Database
- ^ "Ahmet Salih YOLUC". Companies House. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ "WEC - Tom Ferrier on Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (20 September 2020). "Aston Martins Win GTE Classes; Manufacturers' Title Secured". SportsCar365. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Prema, Cool Racing & Racing Team Turkey Win Race & Championship Doubles, Iron Dames Crush The Field In GTE". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2023-02-19). "DKR Wins Title With Victory in Abu Dhabi Season Finale – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Optimum Motorsport Dominates Dubai 24H". the checkered flag. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Tom Ferrier: From the Michelin Le Mans Cup to the 24 Hours of Le Mans - LMC". www.lemanscup.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Driver Presentation: Salih Yoluc". www.gt3me.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "2017 EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES — PROVISIONAL SEASON ENTRY LIST" (PDF). European Le Mans Series. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Kilshaw, Jake (2 February 2017). "Thiim Joins TF Sport for ELMS Entry, Bell for 24H Le Mans". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ "Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Circuit Paul Ricard 1000kms Entry List". blancpain-gt-series.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- ^ "Salih Yoluc (Aston Martin) : un pilote turc à la découverte des 24 Heures du Mans..." 24h-lemans.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ Kilshaw, Jake (8 January 2018). "TF Sport Confirms Step Up to WEC with GTE-Am Entry". sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Porsche wins battle of the heavyweights to conquer 2019 Total 24 Hours of Spa". Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. 2019-07-28. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (20 September 2020). "Aston Martins Win GTE Classes; Manufacturers' Title Secured". SportsCar365. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Eastwood celebrates glorious 24 Hours of Le Mans victory // Infinity Sports Management". www.infinitysportsmanagement.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2021-01-11). "TF Sport to Make LMP2 Step with Racing Team Turkey Entry – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "TF Sport to make prototype debut with LMP2 programme in ELMS". 11 January 2021.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2021-06-06). "G-Drive No. 26 Crew Takes First Win of Season at Paul Ricard – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2021-10-23). "Milesi Scores Back-to-Back Poles with Late Flyer at Portimao – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Jack Aitken Joins Racing Team Turkey For 2022 ELMS". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "United Autosports Take The Win At Spa, Championship Goes Down To The Wire, Prema vs Panis". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Prema Racing Win Dramatic Season Finale to Secure 2022 ELMS Title - ELMS". www.europeanlemansseries.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Villemant, Thibaut (30 January 2023). "Asian LMS – DKR Engineering with a crew to compete for the LMP2 title?". Endurance-info. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Belfast's Charlie Eastwood wins Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 in Abu Dhabi". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2023-02-20. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2023-02-19). "DKR Wins Title With Victory in Abu Dhabi Season Finale – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "DKR Engineering win the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series". 24h-lemans.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Goodwin, Graham. "Louis Deletraz Joins Racing Team Turkey For 2023 ELMS". dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (2023-04-23). "Racing Team Turkey Wins Barcelona Thriller – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (2023-07-16). "Algarve Pro Takes Dramatic Paul Ricard Victory – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ Kilbey, Stephen (26 August 2023). "United ORECA Wins 4H Aragon Thriller". dailysportscar.com.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (2023-10-20). "United Beats APR in Rain-Affected 4H Algarve – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ "ELMS". www.europeanlemansseries.com. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
- ^ Bradley, Charles (11 June 2023). "LE MANS 24H, H9: PEUGEOT LEADS, FERRARI SPINS, #7 TOYOTA OUT". motorsport.com.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (10 November 2023). "Two Defending Champions in TF Sport LMP2 Lineup". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ^ "FIA Publish 2024 Driver Categorisations (Updated) |". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
- ^ Mercier, Laurent (12 March 2024). "Racing Team Turkey dévoile la livrée de sa Ferrari 296 GT3 pour le Sprint". Endurance-Info (in French). Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Dagys, John (January 11, 2024). "Lone Star Commits to Endurance Cup With Mercedes-AMG". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Salih Yoluc". TF Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official Website
- Salih Yoluc at TF Sport
- Salih Yoluc at gt3me.com
- Salih Yoluc at fiawec.com
- Salih Yoluc at total24hours.com
- Salih Yoluç career summary at DriverDB.com
- Living people
- 1985 births
- Sportspeople from Istanbul
- Turkish racing drivers
- 24 Hours of Daytona drivers
- 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers
- FIA World Endurance Championship drivers
- British GT Championship drivers
- International GT Open drivers
- Blancpain Endurance Series drivers
- European Le Mans Series drivers
- Asian Le Mans Series drivers
- WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers
- Formula Regional Asian Championship drivers
- Porsche Carrera Cup GB drivers
- Walter Lechner Racing drivers
- Pinnacle Motorsport drivers
- United Autosports drivers
- FIA Motorsport Games drivers
- Eurasia Motorsport drivers
- Aston Martin Racing drivers
- 24H Series drivers
- Le Mans Cup drivers
- GT4 European Series drivers
- 24 Hours of Spa drivers
- TF Sport drivers
- AF Corse drivers