If you paid a visit to the 2010 LA Auto Show you might have had a chance to play with Yokohama Tire’s iPad app in their exhibit.  If not, then it is now available for download for free in the iTunes app store.  So, what does the app do?  Well it allows you to browse through Yokohama’s full tire line up and get an up-close look at what makes each model unique.  You can also spin the tires, zoom in, watch videos, and get info about specialty tires like their orange oil race application.  Its a fun way to kill sometime and if you are in the market for tires then this app gets even more useful.  I played with the app myself and had some fun with it.  If I were to make any suggestion to Yokohama on this I’d say make it available for Android powered tablets and phones!

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Press Release:

FULLERTON, CA (Feb. 25, 2011) –Yokohama Tire Corporation’s new iPad app – the Yokohama Tire Explorer – introduced at the recent LA Auto Show, is now available free on iTunes.

“iPad apps are a new and unique way for consumers to get information,” said Alan Holtschneider, Yokohama manager, advertising, promotions & events. “Yokohama’s app takes advantage of the iPad’s touch gesture technology and provides consumers an interactive, graphically-appealing way to learn about our tires.”

Holtschneider said the app features videos and information on the technology behind Yokohama’s consumer tires. ADVAN®, GEOLANDAR®, AVID® ENVigor™, S.drive® and the orange oil-infused dB Super E-spec™ all have their respective sections for users to explore. “There’s information on tire compounds, tread design and construction, along with a ‘Tireology’ section and fun facts about tires. We hope consumers will find the Yokohama app an engaging tool, especially as they begin to consider replacement tires for their vehicle.”

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec™ – the world’s first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

The following is the most interesting bit of motorsport news that I’ve caught wind of for quite a while.  It seems that while the rest of us were worrying about which manufacturer was dropping out of what racing series Yokohama was working on a race-tire compound dubbed “Super Nano-Power Rubber” (say it alloud and you’ll transform into Ultra Man) that uses 20% less synthetic rubber than a comparable race tire. 

This is achieved through using orange oil rather than the traditional method of petroleum.  These tires will be used by every competitor in every round of the 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge.  I know what you’re thinking…”Orange you glad they didn’t use bananas?” LoL! I wonder if the burn outs will smell like orange juice? Ah I have a million of these people!  I don’t care what you say I’m funny…

Press Release:

FULLERTON, CA (Jan. 26, 2009) – The 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama will be the first race series to use tires featuring environmentally friendly orange oil technology. The tires, which are produced using approximately 20 percent less synthetic rubber, will be used by all teams in the six-race series that features Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars.

Yokohama Tire, which is known for its ADVAN® brand of ultra-high-performance street and racing tires, has developed a process that combines orange oil with natural rubber to form a new compound called “Super Nano-Power Rubber^TM.” This proprietary technology reduces the amount of petroleum used in tires.

“The use of orange oil is an incredible breakthrough for both race car and passenger car tire production” said Mark Chung, director corporate strategy and planning. “This innovative technology increases the use of natural rubber in lieu of petroleum-derived synthetic rubber, while achieving the same level of performance as conventional race tires.”

Researched and tested on the race track, the orange oil technology will also be available to U.S. consumers in the all-new dB Super E-spec^TM passenger car tire this summer.

Yokohama’s Motorsports division began researching this technology in the late 1980s. Development was recently accelerated as part of the GD100, the company’s global environmental strategy. Benefits from this technology are realized in the manufacturing process, continue throughout the useful life of the tire as a result of lower rolling resistance, and conclude with improved recyclability, according to Chung.

“This is a landmark development by Yokohama and an example of how racing can play an integral part in the development of consumer technology,” said IMSA’s Tim Mayer, chief operating officer of the sanctioning body. “We are excited to have Yokohama involved in this championship and proud of the advancement that its technology represents for the future of racing worldwide.” Details about the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama can be found at www.IMSAChallenge.com

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Taking Care of Your Tires” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

With the Economy in its current conditions a lot of coporations backed away from any kind of large motorsport involvement or sponsorship for 2009.  Although it looks as if Yokohama has a brass set on them as they just announced that they’ll be the presenting sponsor for the Patron GT3 Challenge for ’09 and 2010.  Good on ya Yokohama! I’m sure they just won over a ton of Porsche guys with this move.