YOKOHAMA AT LE MANS UPDATE


Media information: 14 June 2008


The Yokohama-supported Tokai University-YGK Power team is currently running in 45th position overall after six hours of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

After qualifying 41st at the world’s most prestigious race meeting, the student team struggled with an electrical problem and were forced into the pits to change the ignition system on the Courage-ORECA-YGK LC70. With the problem cured, the LMP1 entry is back on track and beginning to make good progress.

“The team have had some trouble with the engine” said Yokohama’s Global Motorsport General Manager Akinori Tokieda. “They have changed the ignition system, so the car is far better and we’re getting good lap times.

"Yokohama has supported a lot of teams at Le Mans and it is our pleasure to help and support the students. It’s very tough but they are enjoying it. We cannot expect any podiums, but our aim is to run for the full 24-hours; that is our target.”

With 20 hours left on the clock, Masami Kageyama is currently behind the wheel. Equipped with Yokohama ADVAN tyres and the support of Yokohama engineers, the student team have proved early on that they are able to overcome the difficulties the endurance race delivers.