The UK distributor for Yokohama tyres, YHPT, has said it is encouraged by the pace shown by Next Big Step runner Aaron McClure in this year’s BTRDA rally series. A graduate of the Formula 1000 Junior championship and competing as part of a ‘ladder of opportunity’ which is supported at all levels by Yokohama, McClure demonstrated excellent pace in his Group N Mitsubishi Lancer rally car on numerous occasions throughout the season.
Building on the success of the European Seat Leon Eurocup, which uses Yokohama Advan racing slick and wet control tyres, the new-for-2015 Seat Supercup Ireland has followed suit, adopting the Japanese manufacturer as control tyre supplier for the ten-round series. The series will be supported by Yokohama’s Irish dealer, Murray Motorsport, which will not only provide the tyres each team is permitted for each race meeting but will also supply parts from Seat Sport.
Porsche AG has selected the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 as original equipment on the Cayenne crossover. Yokohama Rubber will supply the tyre in size 295/35R21 107Y and says it developed the original equipment tyre together with Porsche – a collaboration denoted by the ‘N-2’ mark on the sidewall of the Advan Sport V105 fitted on the Cayenne.
Yokohama Rubber has outlined its motorsport plans for 2015, and has given a brief summary of the main events, including WTCC and the Macao Grand Prix
A Yokohama Advan-equipped has won the GT300 class of the Super GT 2014 series. This year’s victory returns the championship trophy to a Yokohama tyre‒equipped car after a one year hiatus following four straight victorious seasons from 2009.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is once again supply its Advan racing tyres to the Macau Grand Prix to be held in Macau, China from 13 to 16 November. The 61st Macau Grand Prix marks Yokohama’s 32nd year as exclusive tyre supplier for the Formula 3 race. The Macau Grand Prix event also includes the […]
The distributor of counterfeit Yokohama racing wheels has been sentenced to time in prison after being found in the possession of more than 1,000 aluminium wheels. The Intermediate People’s Court of Guangzhou, in China’s Guangdong Province, also fined the distributor on 19 August.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has signalled its involvement in Moscow International Automobile Salon 2014, to be held in Moscow, Russia from 27 August 7 September. The Yokohama exhibit will feature the company’s the global flagship tyre brand “Advan” and the winter tyre brand “iceGuard”, as it promotes the “high-performance Yokohama” image.
Later this month Yokohama Rubber will showcase its latest technologies and products at the Reifen 2014 exhibition on a stand (Hall 3, booth 3A18) featuring both market-ready and concept products.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is to exhibit highlight its high performance of tyres, with a focus on the Advan global flagship brand and the fuel-efficient BluEarth brand. According to the company, Yokohama’s booth will also display the “AERO-Y” electric vehicle (EV) concept car. Yokohama suggest a number of new products will be introduced at the show including three new tyre products, two of which are described as world premieres and one a European premier.
The Advan Sport V105 N-0 has been approved as an original equipment fitment for the Porsche Panamera. Yokohama Rubber shares it will supply the Porsche saloon with the Advan in size 255/40ZR20 (101Y) for the front wheels and 295/35ZR20 (105Y) for the rear.
Mercedes has selected Yokohama’s Advan Sport V105 MO tyres as original equipment for its new Mercedes-Benz S-Class models. The new S-Class models will come with size 245/50R18 100W.
According to the company, the Advan Sport V105 MO was developed jointly by Yokohama Rubber and Mercedes parent company Daimler AG, and the "MO" mark on the side of each tyre represents Daimler's official stamp of approval. In addition, the tyres' reduced rolling resistance and improved wear resistance meet Yokohama's standards for environmentally friendly products.
With a technical background that includes a stint as a motorsport technician working in the UK 30 years ago, Yokohama’s president went on to share further details of exactly how the new tyre surpasses its predecessor. To improve steering stability, a new "Matrix Body Ply Structure" was developed employing technology fostered through participation in world motorsports. According to the company, weight was reduced while rigidity was maintained, producing more agile handling and more comfortable ride, although this upgrade is not available on all sizes in the range. Meanwhile the asymmetrical, non-directional tread pattern – inside for enhanced performance on wet surfaces, outside for dry – features a new compound created to provide “exceptional” grip.
Three decades after Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama began supplying tyres to the Macau Grand Prix, the company returned to the glitz and glamour of what is the Chinese equivalent of Las Vegas to celebrate 30 years of partnership with the event. In order to mark the occasion, Tyres & Accessories was there to smell the rubber and witness the racing action as well as report on the race-to-road developments of the tyre supplier (see separate article in December's magazine for more on this).
Michael Rutter secured his place in the history books taking an eighth victory in Macau and dominating the two-wheel action. Using the latest generation Pirelli Diablo Superbike slick tyres from the company’s ‘road race’ programme, Rutter opted for a harder rear compound for his SMT Honda Fireblade which lasted throughout this unique race at the former Portuguese colony. Runner-up Martin Jessopp (Riders Ducati) chose the softer option rear to record a fastest lap at this final International event of the year.
