Achieving maximum aerodynamic efficiency is always good, right? Not necessarily so. Sometimes being a drag isn’t such a bad thing, as Yokohama Rubber has discovered. The Japanese manufacturer shares that it has developed a tyre that increases a car’s aerodynamic qualities – by making those of the tyres worse.
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.
Yokohama Rubber’s Suzhou site in China’s Jiangsu Province has been given the ‘Forever Forest’ treatment. As part of the Forever Forest Project, which was first launched in 2007, some 5,000 trees were planted at the Suzhou site. Around 250 people, including Koichi Tanaka, chairman and president of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co., Ltd., and Shigeru Nakano, president of Suzhou Yokohama Tire, took part in the planting activities.
Tire Review reports that Takayuki Hamaya has been promoted to COO of Yokohama Tire Corp, effective 19 November. Hamaya will also retain his position as company executive vice president and CFO. In his additional role, Hamaya will be responsible for US tyre sales in all segments, accounting and finance, corporate planning, supply chain and operations, and internal audit.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has previewed the February 2013 launch of its Advan Sport V105. Speaking alongside the Macau Grand Prix, Yokohama Rubber Group president Hikomitsu Noji explained that the tyre will replace its V103 predecessor and has been developed through experience garnered in motorsport.
Yokohama Tire Corporation-sponsored off-roaders Cameron and Heidi Steele are competing in the storied SCORE Tecate Baja 1000, at Mexico's Baja Peninsula, betweenNovember 14-17. The Steeles, along with their Desert Assassins teammates, will race on various Geolandar tyres along the demanding course. The 45th running of the race goes from Ensenada to La Paz and is the SCORE (Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts) racing series season finale.
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that both sales and earnings increased in the first three quarters of 2012. Net income at Yokohama in the first three quarters surged to 17.4 billion yen, compared with 1.1 billion yen in the same period of the previous year, as operating income increased 182.8 per cent, to 26.3 billion yen, and a 1.5 per cent increase in net sales, to 393.1 billion yen. Yokohama also maintained full-year predictions made in August for net income of 30 billion yen, operating income of 49 billion yen, and net sales to 576 billion yen.
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that its ADVAN Sport V105 MO tyres are original equipment for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. According to the company, the CLS Shooting Brake will feature two Yokohama tyre sizes – 255/40R18 99Y, and 285/35R18 97Y (only for the rear).
The ADVAN Sport V105 MO was developed jointly by Yokohama Rubber and Daimler, with the MO mark on the side of each tyre signifying approval by Daimler. Improved performance on wet and dry surfaces and braking has been priotised along. Quiet ride and a high level of comfort have been finely balanced.
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is to supply Advan racing tyres to the 59th Macau Grand Prix which will take place in Macau (China) from 15-18 November. Doing so for the 2012 event represents the 30th consecutive year that Yokohama has been sole tyre supplier. The final rounds of the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and GT ASIA will be staged concurrently. Yokohama also supplies tyres to these series.
In Japan, a car shod with Yokohama Advan racing tyres finished first in the GT300 class in Round 8 (the final round) of the SUPER GT held on October 28 at Twin Ring Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, reversing the series point standings to win the 2012 series championship. Vehicles equipped with Yokohama tyres have won the series championship in the GT300 class for the last four years.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is recalling certain Yokohama Avid Touring S radials in the US due to “irregular geometry in the casing turn up area above the tire bead in the lower sidewall.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a notice on the recall, which covers 215/65R16 98T SL size tyres produced between February and April 2009. In all, Yokohama reports that only 10,669 tyres are affected.
Dated: SEP 28, 2012 Yokohama Tire Corporation (Yokohama) is recalling certain AVID Touring S tires, size 215/65R16 98T SL, produced between February 2009 and April 2009. The tires may have been produced with an irregula.. Related news: Yokohama Eco Display Wins US Exhibitor Award Yokohama Awarded for Samurai Ad Campaign Yokohama back for another year […]
Along with several other tyre majors, Yokohama Rubber has debuted new products at the MINExpo International 2012 show, which ends today in the US. The Japanese manufacturer is displaying a total of 17 OTR radials at the show, including the new “RL45” and “RL51”, along with a new sizes in its “RB42” range for rigid dump trucks.
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