YOKOHAMA READY FOR ENDURANCE CHALLENGE


Media information: 13 June 2008


Yokohama’s 25th consecutive year competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans was secured yesterday with team Tokai University-YGK Power qualifying 41st overall.

The LMP1 entry, running a Courage-ORECA-YGK LC70, equipped with ADVAN tyres, is the first university-run project to take part in the historical race and benefits from Yokohama’s extensive endurance racing expertise.

With the entire Japanese outfit run by students, the team’s qualifying efforts are impressive although Project Leader, Tokai University professor Yoshimasa Hayashi, already holds respectable Le Mans credentials; he designed the Nissan turbo engine, which saw British driver Mark Blundell claim pole position 18 years ago.

“Over 150 students have participated in the project, since 2001,” said Hayashi. “This year our dream has finally come true. A university has never entered a car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, our participation is truly a world’s first.”

Yokohama engineers are working closely with the team, ensuring that the Japanese tyres deliver maximum grip and reliability throughout the gruelling 24-hour race, as Yokohama Europe Motorsport Manager Matthijs Mathlener explained:

“We were very keen to work with such an interesting project this year.
Yokohama has a long history with Le Mans, we have supported cars in LMP and LMGT categories over the past 25 years, and to be involved in the first university project seen at Le Mans is a great addition to our motorsport heritage.”

The 24 Hours of Le Mans will begin on Saturday 14 June at 15:00 CET.