SANTA ANA, Calif. — Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has agreed to become the title sponsor of a grassroots, stock vehicle-based "race within a race" at this year's King of the Hammers (KOH) extreme off-roading challenge, scheduled for Jan. 25-Feb. 8.
The "Yokohama Tire Every Man Challenge" offers grassroots competitors the chance to race the King of the Hammers course, YTC and Hammerking Productions said.
"Yokohama is honored to sponsor the King of the Hammer's Every Man Challenge," Candace Cogan, Yokohama senior manager of events, partnerships and sponsorships, said.
"It's an extremely challenging race, designed to test driver, machine and tires. Every year teams on the Geolandar M/T G003 tires continue to prove the durability and find success in the race. We look forward to working with Hammerking and the dedicated racers to continue to build the EMC race."
The Everyman Man Challenge, which is open to three Ultra4 classes — Stock (4600), Modified (4500) and Legend (4800) — will take place Feb. 7 at the KOH course in the Johnson Valley area of the Mojave Desert in southeastern California.
YTC expects a dozen or more of its Team Yokohama members to compete at this year's KOH in six 4-wheel classes on various Geolandar off-road tires, including Cameron Steele will be making his first KOH appearance since returning to Team Yokohama.
Yokohama and partner Warrior Built Foundation will compete in 1960s-era "Class 11" VW Beetle on Geolandar AT/4s, in a field of 40 cars. Yokohama and Warrior Built will also be hosting a group of combat veterans onsite at the race and will outfit one vet's vehicle with a new set of Geolandar A/T-XD tires.
Besides the KOH involvement, YTC's 2025 North American-based motorsports activities include Porsche Endurance Challenge, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Ford Mustang Cup, Subaru Motorsports USA sponsorship, Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, Championship Off-Road Series, SCORE and the TrophyLite Series.