Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced a new off-road partnership: title sponsor of the 2018 Yokohama Sonora Rally. The fourth running of the popular “hardcore off-road rally” in the Sonora desert takes place March 19-24, 2018.
“The Sonora Rally is quickly becoming one of the premier and challenging off-road rally events in North America,” said Fardad Niknam, Yokohama Tire director of segment development. “This is truly an exciting event and a perfect fit to highlight our GEOLANDER line of off-road tires like the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tire.”
The Sonora Rally is modeled after the world-renowned Dakar Rally, according to Darren Skilton, Sonora Rally director. “If you’ve ever wondered what Dakar is like, the Sonora Rally is designed to give you a taste. That’s why we’re so excited to partner with Yokohama Tire. They have a long history of involvement in off-road events and will bring their passion and expertise to help grow the sport of cross-country rally in North America.”
Skilton said entries opened on Nov. 1. “To celebrate our partnership with Yokohama, there will be special discounted rate for the first 20 entries,” he said. “All of us are very proud to partner with Yokohama and we welcome them to the Sonora Rally family.”
Yokohama’s off-road alliances include being the title sponsor of the NORRA Mexican 1000 and the official tire of Horsepower Adventures. Yokohama also is the official spec tire of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama and the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama. Yokohama’s 2017 sports sponsorship roster includes Chelsea FC, Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels, Nitro Circus Live US Tour, Nitro World Games, Spartan Race Series and the Needham Memorial Day Soccer Tournament Driven by Yokohama.
For more information on the event, visit sonorarally.com.
