Yokohama's Eco-Friendly Orange Oil Tire Debuts at Sebring

FULLERTON, CA March 19, 2009: For the first time in more than a century of automobile racing, a series will utilize sustainable tire technology on each competing vehicle. Today, when the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama kicks-off, each Porsche 911 race car will be outfitted with Yokohama ADVAN® ENV-R1™ orange oil-infused race tires.

Known for its ultra-high-performance street and race tires, Yokohama has developed a process that combines orange oil with natural rubber to form a new compound called “Super Nano-Power Rubber.” In the ADVAN ENV-R1, the proprietary technology reduces petroleum by approximately 10 percent and increases recyclability while maintaining the high performance levels of previous race slick compounds.

The technology was developed by Yokohama’s motorsports division in the 1980s and recently accelerated as a part of the company’s global environmental strategy. As a result, orange oil technology will be available to U.S. consumers – with fitments for the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and other models - in the all-new dB Super E-specTM passenger car tire this summer.

“It’s apropos that we’re launching an orange oil tire among the citrus groves of Florida,” said Mark Chung, director, corporate strategy and planning. “The development of this ENV-R1 will benefit race fans, consumers and the environment.”

“The ENV-R1s have performed very well since our team’s first test session at Sebring in February,” said Alex Job, owner of Alex Job Racing. “There’s been a lot of speculation about how these tires would perform and, I have to say, I’m very pleased with their performance. Between Mitch Pagerey in the driver’s seat, the car and the new tires, we have a real strong package this weekend.”