Drivers Juiced with New Yokohama Eco-Friendly Orange Oil Race Tires at Sebring
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SEBRING, FL March 20, 2009: Adding new meaning to the term “Peel Out,” Bob Faieta and Melanie Snow were both double winners on Yokohama Tire Corporation’s new eco-friendly, orange oil race tire in the Patrón GT3 Challenge at Sebring International Raceway in Florida.
Driving Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars equipped with Yokohama Tire’s ADVAN® ENV-R1™, which made its debut at Sebring, both drivers started from the pole and swept their respective classes on Thursday and Friday. It’s the first time in more than a century of automobile racing a series has utilized sustainable tire technology on each competing vehicle.
The ADVAN ENV-R1, the Official Spec Tire of the GT3 Challenge, reduces petroleum by approximately 10 percent and increases recyclability while maintaining the high performance levels of previous race slick compounds. “In its race debut this weekend, the tire has performed well with lap times remaining consistent throughout both races,” said Mark Chung, director, corporate strategy and planning. “Several drivers have told me how impressed they were with the drivability of the tire. I’d like to congratulate Bob and Melanie on superb performances.”
Faieta, the Platinum Class winner, has now won four GT3 Challenge races in a row. Snow, the Gold Class champ, is on a roll with 15 consecutive podium finishes. Both racers attributed their success in-part to the strong-performing and consistent ENV-R1 tires.
“My Yokohama tires just kept going strong and even got stronger toward the end of the race,” said Faieta of Tujunga, California. “It’s a testament to the new tire; a really awesome product.”
Added Snow of Pleasant Grove, Utah after Thursday’s race: "I thought the ADVAN ENV-R1 worked really well. We were fairly quick in traffic and for us to be able to turn the times that we did was good. The tires held up well for me. My second to last lap was the fastest for me. They were consistent all the way through."
Also presented was the Yokohama Hard Charger award, given to the driver advancing the most positions during each of the two rounds. Ludovico Manfredi, of London, England, drove from 28th to 21st in round one. Patrick Flanagan, of Laguna Niguel, California, advanced seven positions taking the award in round two.
Yokohama’s orange oil race technology will transfer to passenger tires when the dB Super E-specTM becomes available this summer in sizes designed for Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and other fuel-efficient models.
