TOKYO (March 29, 2013) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) is setting up a separate company, Yokohama Motorsports International Co. Ltd., to oversee its growing motorsports activities, including the development and supply of racing tires.
The new entity integrates the motorsports-related activities of the technology and planning divisions, which in the past have handled development and design of racing tires and team, event and public relations/advertising activities, respectively.
Combining the two will strengthen and sustain motorsports activities by building a stronger, streamlined organization able to make quicker decisions, YRC said.
The new company also plans to expand businesses by providing expert technology and know-how by developing consumer tires based on racing tire technology.
The new company, which is headed by Tetsuya Kuze, director and corporate officer, is capitalized at $105,000 and will have 20 employees, YRC said. It will be based at YRC's plant in Minatoku, Japan, near Tokyo.
Yokohama did not disclose any further financial details regarding the unit or its racing activities.
Among Yokohama's more prominent racing engagements are the Super GT series in Japan and the FIA World Touring Car Championship. It also is engaged in varios races and rallies held in Europe, North America and Asia.
In North America, Yokohama supports the American Le Mans Series' GTC class and IMSA GT3 Cup for Porsche 911s, supports one ALMS GT team and is active in various off-road racing and driftng series as well.