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Yokohama Tire Joins the American Off-Road Racing


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Yokohama drivers will compete on various GEOLANDAR tires in the newly created series.

SANTA ANA, CA. – (Jan. 8, 2026) – Continuing its longstanding involvement in off-road racing, Yokohama Tire announced it has joined the newly formed American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) as a supporting sponsor. AORC unites two prominent desert racing sanctioning bodies – Unlimited Off-Road Racing (UNLTD) and Best in the Desert (BITD) – into a single five-race points championship.

 

Yokohama is gearing up for the 2026 AORC series with a strong roster of drivers ready to take on the toughest terrain on GEOLANDAR® tires. The season kicks off January 14 at the iconic Parker 400 in Arizona.

 

With championship titles as the ultimate goal, Team Yokohama is well represented across multiple classes. Isenhouer Brothers Racing and Dave Mason Jr. will continue to showcase the GEOLANDAR® MT-R in Unlimited Truck Spec and Unlimited Truck (2WD) classes, respectively. Additionally, Josh Row, Michael McFayden, and Mitchell Alsup will take on the Pro Open UTV class on GEOLANDAR® SD and GEOLANDAR® M/T G003 SXS tires. The storied Mint 400 in Las Vegas, NV will see other Team Yokohama members in attendance like The Warrior Built Foundation, and Josh and Martin Barkey of MBRP, try their hand at the toughest terrain in the U.S.

 

Yokohama’s participation in off-road racing dates back to the early 1980s and the introduction of its iconic Super Digger tire. Known for race-proven durability and performance, Yokohama has long supported off-road racers and events worldwide, using competition as a proving ground to develop tire technology that performs in the harshest desert conditions.

 

“Racing is the ultimate proving ground for our tires,” said Candace Cogan, Yokohama’s director of product marketing. “Every lap delivers critical data, real-world feedback and hands-on experience that directly shape the products we create for everyday drivers and off-road enthusiasts. This newly unified league provides an unparalleled platform to showcase our athletes’ performance and demonstrate how our tires thrive under the most extreme conditions.”

 

“Yokohama Tire has been involved with off-road racing for over four decades,” said Matt Martelli, CEO of the American Off-Road Racing Championship. “We are thrilled to have them join us not only as a sponsor of the series, but to have them supporting racers as well as developing new products for Unlimited Trucks and UTVs.”

 

American Off-Road Racing Championship 2026 Schedule:

  1. Jan. 14-18, Parker 400, Parker AZ
  2. Mar. 4-8, Mint 400, Primm, Nev.
  3. Apr. 22-26, Silver State 300, Tonopah, NV
  4. July 23-26, Vegas to Reno Legends Rally, Las Vegas, NV
  5. Aug. 13-16, Vegas To Reno, Las Vegas
  6. Oct. 15-19, Laughlin Desert Classic, Laughlin, NV

 

For more info on Yokohama motorsports programs, go to https://www.yokohamatire.com/motorsports.

 

For details on the American Off-Road Racing Championship, visit americanoffroadracingchampionship.com

 

Beside the American Off-Road Championships, Yokohama’s extensive list of 2026 North American-based motorsports partnerships – both on- and off-road – includes Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama, the Mustang Cup, Subaru Motorsports USA, Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, King of the Hammers Yokohama Tire Every Man Challenge race, Official Tire of Crandon International Raceway and the Championship Off-Road Series.

 

About Yokohama Tire Corporation

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology, innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and environmentally conscious products. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, and commercial truck and bus. For more information on Yokohama’s broad product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com and www.yokohamatruck.com.

 

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tires 101” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

 

About the American Off-Road Racing Championship

The American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) is the premier desert off-road racing league in North America, created through the unification of Best in the Desert (BITD) and Unlimited Off-Road Racing (UNLTD).

 

Best in the Desert, founded in 1984 by legendary racer Casey Folks, is the longest-running and most respected off-road racing series in the U.S., with a legacy that includes iconic events like Vegas to Reno, the Silver State 300, the Parker 425, and the Laughlin Desert Classic. Unlimited Off-Road Racing, established by the Martelli Brothers in 2023, produces world-class events such as The Mint 400, The California 300, and The Parker 400. UNLTD is recognized for its focus on innovation, storytelling, and large-scale racer participation, with events known for high car counts, challenging courses, pre-running, and family-friendly fan experiences near major markets.

 

Together under the AORC banner, BITD and UNLTD preserve the heritage of desert racing while building its future—offering racers, sponsors, and fans a unified championship built on clarity, consistency, and world-class competition.