Yokohama has officially confirmed its continuation with the Australian
V8 Ute Racing Series for another 3 years following a successful
involvement with the category since 2005.
“With television exposure grossing over 3 million viewers and almost a million spectators on track last year alone the V8 Utes are providing Yokohama with exceptional value for money brand exposure” explained Yokohama Motorsport Manager Christian Hansen “The growth of V8 Supercars and the 3 year deal with V8 Utes as a support category gives the series a great platform for the next 3 years.”
Yokohama has been involved in Australian motorsport for decades through Group A - Two Litre Tourers and V8 Supercars, insuring the Australian public and motorsport fans alike would be familiar with the Yokohama brand. The ADVAN name was hugely popular overseas however was unknown to the Australian motorsport scene until its launch in 2005.
“The Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series has been the main mechanism for promoting the name ADVAN within Australia” said Hansen “With ADVAN stickers on the corner of each racing Ute, combined with ADVAN flags on the grid and in the pits, the ADVAN brand has achieved a good level of awareness in a short period of time.”
“The V8 Utes have certainly given performance credibility to ADVAN road tyres which are designed for premium sports cars and high performance four wheel drives”
To keep up with the ADVAN exposure in international motorsport, signage on the V8 Racing Utes in 2008 will be consistent with the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) cars which also use Yokohama ADVAN tyres.
“Yokohama tyres add another level to the already competitive nature of the V8 Ute category” stated Kim Jane member of the V8 Ute Board of Directors “not only does it make for close, exciting racing but having a major brand name like Yokohama on board for six years really says something for the motorsport industry as a marketing platform and V8 Ute racing in particular as a great branding leverage opportunity.”The first Round of 2008 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series takes place at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, February 21 – 24, the build of the new VE Commodore is well underway with at least 8 new Utes ready to tackle Round One of the Series.