Yokohama Reports Strong Start to 2009 Redline Time Attack Series

Three first-places finishes reflected a successful start for Yokohama Tire Corporation’s sponsorship of the 2009 Redline Time Attack series during the March 28-29 season-opener at Buttonwillow Raceway in the US state of California. The series, which features purpose-built 600-horsepower race cars and highly tuned street-legal vehicles, awards points and names winners based on which driver achieves the fastest lap time during competition. Winners in Yokohama Tire-shod cars included:

Billy Johnson, Unlimited RWD Class, FX Motorsports Acura NSX (on Yokohama Advan A005 slicks), 1:45.516, a new RWD and Unlimited RWD record and besting defending champion and this year’s runner up by more than 2 seconds (1:47.992).

Frank Yeung, Unlimited FWD Class, HPS Acura Integra (on Yokohama Advan A005 slicks), 1:58.717, nearly 3 seconds faster than second place time of 2:01.169

Dino Tadokawa, Street FWD Class, Mazda/Sony/Yokohama/Oakley MazdaSpeed 3 (on Advan Neova AD08 tyres), 2:00.552, a new Street-FWD record and almost 4 seconds quicker than second-place time of 2:03.8500.

“Great, great start to the Redline Time Attack season,” said Mark Chung, Yokohama director, corporate strategy and planning. “We’ve been looking forward to seeing how the Advan A005 will perform during its first year in the Unlimited class and what the all-new Neova AD08 will achieve in the Street Class. Judging by the first race results and two record-breaking lap times, we’re stacking up rather well.”

As a part of its sponsorship, Yokohama will manage a tyre contingency program at each race for teams running on its Advan tyres. Additionally, at the end of the season, Yokohama will reward the winner in each of the Street classes a fully sponsored trip to attend Jim Russell Racing Drivers School’s two-day racing course.