Yokohama introduces new rally tyre to the UK

Yokohama HPT has announced a new motorsport tyre for the UK. The Yokohama A053 is a brand new gravel rally tyre, developed during the 2010 season as the manufacturer partnered the Intercontinental
Rally Challenge. The A053 is designed to compliment the A035, featuring a completely new construction and tread pattern. Designed for all loose surface applications, it will be available in three compounds; super soft, soft and medium to cope with the widest range of gravel stage conditions. The A053 will replace both sizes of the preceding A035E, in 195 and 205 widths.

Yokohama states the construction has concentrated on generating maximum grip for cornering and acceleration and braking while offering the best puncture resistance possible. The tread pattern has been created to allow the tyres to come up to working temperature as quickly as possible while providing large tread blocks for maximum traction combined with clearance for wet or muddy stages.

Initially, the A053 will be available in one size – 170/650R15 but other sizes will become available during 2011. The A053 was developed throughout the course of the 2010 IRC and was used by the Peugeot Sport Turkiye team, helping driver Bercu Cetinkaya and co-driver Cicek Guney to become the first female competitors to score points in the series, as they finished eighth on the demanding penultimate round of the 2010 season, Rally of Scotland.

Commenting on the announcement, head of Motorsport at Yokohama HPT, Mark Evans, said:
“We are very excited by the introduction of the A053 tyre. The preceding gravel tyre, the A035E, had a good reputation but the new one is an improvement in every aspect.

“Tests have shown greater traction and grip, improved stability and just as important, enhanced strength and therefore, puncture resistance. We are currently in discussion with several drivers with
a view to supporting their campaigns in British rallying and I’m looking forward to them demonstrating how good a tyre the A053 is.”