Yokohama Tire Corporation to be Presenting Sponsor of the Patrón GT3 Challenge

FULLERTON, CA (Dec. 3, 2008) – Yokohama Tire Corporation announced today it will be the presenting sponsor and official spec tire of the newly-minted Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama race series. The single-make series, featuring Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, is a support event for the American Le Mans Series and is entering its fifth season after previously being known as the IMSA Challenge.

The agreement between Yokohama and IMSA (International Motor Sports Association), which is for the 2009 and 2010 racing seasons, provides Yokohama prominent branding on each race car as well as in seven, one-hour Speed TV specials covering the Series. The 2009 campaign will feature 12 races during six event weekends at famous American racetracks such as Sebring International Raceway, Road Atlanta and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

As part of the sponsorship, Yokohama will engineer and construct purpose-built ADVAN® racing tires for the GT3 Cup cars. The ADVAN A005® will handle dry weather racing while the A006® will handle wet weather duty. The sizes (front/rear) will be 240/640R18 and 280/680R18.

Yokohama ADVAN Sport® tires are OE fitment on the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and the Cayenne with other recent OE fitments including the Boxster and the Boxster S.

“We’re excited to participate in a series that features Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars and great racetracks,” said Mark Chung, director of strategic marketing. “This is a proud extension of our motorsports involvement with IMSA, ALMS and Porsche.”

Details about the series can be found at www.IMSAChallenge.com

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Taking Care of Your Tires” section at www.yokohamatire.com.