The new TCR UK series has announced that it has appointed Yokohama as its official tyre partner ahead of the inaugural season of the new championship in 2018.
The announcement was made on the first day of the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham, and will give teams clarity as to another part of the plans for 2018.
Yokohama has a long history in touring car racing, having been associated with the erstwhile World Touring Car Championship for the past 11 years, as well as with the British Touring Car Championship in the 1980s and 1990s.
Teams will be able to start testing on the Japanese rubber ahead of the first round of the season at Silverstone on March 31st / April 1st.
In dry conditions, cars will run with Yokohama’s A005 slick tyre, whilst the A006 rain tyre will be provided for wet conditions. Both tyres will be available in the 250/660R18 size.
Mark Evans, Head of Motorsport at Yokohama HPT, is proud to be able to be represented with the brand from the outset in TCR UK.
“The new TCR UK championship is set to be one of the most exciting series in British motorsport and we’re incredibly proud that Yokohama is playing a pivotal role from the outset,” said Evans. “The cars will be fitted with our proven motorsport products, which have delivered fantastic successes for many drivers around the world.
“Given their impressive levels of performance and reliability, we are confident that the tyres will help produce a first class racing spectacle.”
TCR UK Promoter Jonathan Ashman believes that the use of Yokohama tyres will help teams to also compete in other TCR events around the world and take their set-up data with them.
“We are delighted to confirm Yokohama as our tyre partner ahead of our maiden season,” added Ashman. “Their heritage in World and British Touring Cars speaks for itself, so we know our competitors will be using the best tyres available.
“Also, because of the way TCR has spread across the world, we’ve always wanted to make it as easy as possible for our teams and drivers to compete in other TCR championships should they so wish.
“Having experience of such a strong tyre partner as Yokohama should stand them in good stead wherever they go.”