YOKOHAMAtoday announced its plans for supporting motorsports events in 2021. The consumer tyre strategy in our recently announced new medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023), aims to maximize the sales ratios of high-value-added YOKOHAMA tyre brands, namely the global flagship ADVAN brand, the GEOLANDAR brand of tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks, and various winter tyres. YX2023 positions participation in motorsports activities as crucial to our effort to develop new tyre technologies that will further strengthen the ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brands. YOKOHAMA therefore will again participate in a wide variety of motorsports events in Japan and around the globe, from top-category races to grassroots races. Event reports and results will be posted on YOKOHAMA’s motorsports website as well various SNS specializing in motorsports topics. This release briefly introduces some of the main events YOKOHAMA will be participating in this year.

GT/Touring Car Races

SUPER GT

SUPER GT races are contested in two classes, GT500 and GT300. GT500 is dominated by works teams from major automakers while GT300 teams tend to be more varied and individualistic. GT500 machines must meet certain specifications. GT300 races, however, are open to a variety of cars made in Japan and overseas. The GT300 machines can broadly be divided into three types: (1) automakers’ production cars that meet the international FIA GT3 specifications, (2) unique JAF-GT machines, and (3) the so-called “Mother Chassis" group of machines. In 2020, KONDO RACING’s Realize Nissan Automobile Technical College GT-R (drivers: Kiyoto Fujinami, Joao Paulo de Oliveira), equipped with ADVAN racing tyres, captured the GT300 series championship. In 2021, Yokohama will support two GT500 teams while also supplying YOKOHAMA tyres to 19 machines competing in the GT300 class. In 2021, all eight SUPER GT races are scheduled to be held in Japan.

KONDO RACING’s Realize Corporation ADVAN GT-R competing in the GT500 class

TGR TEAM WedsSport BANDOH’s WedsSport ADVAN GR Supra competing in the GT500 class

KONDO RACING’s Realize Nissan Automobile Technical College GT-R , competing in the GT300 class

*All photos were taken at the 2021 SUPER GT official test held in Okayama