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Yokohama Tire Sponsors Drivers for Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Yokohama Tire is gearing up for another thrilling run at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the company said in a release, bringing a dynamic mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies to the iconic mountain course. All Yokohama drivers will be competing on ADVAN tires and will represent the company across multiple divisions during the 103rd running of the legendary “Race to the Clouds,” held June 22 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For the eighth consecutive year, Yokohama returns as the exclusive tire supplier for the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama. This year’s GT4 class features entries from Porsche, Ford and, for the first time, Aston Martin, all equipped with ADVAN A052 tires.

“Yokohama has an exceptionally strong lineup for this year’s hill climb,” said Patricia Wall, Yokohama’s senior manager of motorsports. “Our success is a testament to the talent of our drivers, the quality of our vehicles, our strong partnerships with manufacturers and the unmatched performance of our ADVAN tires.”

Wall highlighted the team’s unique blend of experience and fresh energy: “It’s a mix of legends and newcomers, history and new stories waiting to be written.”

Photo credit: Rupert Berrington

In 2024, Yokohama drivers secured five of the top 10 overall finishes, including division wins by David Donohue and Cole Powelson. Donohue returns in pursuit of a fourth consecutive victory in the Time Attack 1 division, driving his 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S on ADVAN A005 slicks. Meanwhile, Powelson, a Team Yokohama athlete, aims to defend his title in the Open Wheel division behind the wheel of a 2025 Stryker Rogue Maverick, also on ADVAN A005s.

Other standout drivers include four-time “King of the Mountain” Robin Shute (Team Yokohama), fourth-generation racer Loni Unser (Team Yokohama), Clint Vahsholtz and Jeff Zwart. Donohue, Unser and Zwart are joined by notable rookies Emelia Hartford and Steve Wetterau, rounding out BBI Autosport’s star-studded five-car lineup, “Driven by Yokohama.”

Another extraordinary rookie is Lance Fenderson, an adaptive athlete supported by Yokohama and its philanthropic partner, the High Fives Foundation. He will race in Time Attack 1 in a BMW M2 equipped with hand controls and ADVAN A005s.

“As a rookie on the mountain, I’m excited to make my name known and prove my worth as a competitor,” said Fenderson. “Reaching the peak will be incredibly rewarding. I hope to inspire others with paralysis to keep chasing their dreams. Thanks to Yokohama for helping make this possible.”

Yokohama Tire continues its factory partnership with Honda Racing Corporation at this year’s Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Veteran driver Katherine Legge will compete in the Time Attack 1 division behind the wheel of a 2023 Acura Integra Type-S DE5, running on ADVAN A005 racing slicks. Dai Yoshihara (Team Yokohama) will pilot a groundbreaking 2025 Honda CR-V in the Exhibition class — the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to ever take on the mountain — equipped with ADVAN A052 tires.

To celebrate the race weekend, Yokohama Tire and Optima Batteries are throwing a party within the party, the OPTIHAMA Block Party on Friday, June 20, in downtown Colorado Springs during Fan Fest. The event will feature autograph sessions with Team Yokohama athletes like Tanner Foust joining Pikes Peak drivers, a display of high-performance race cars, exclusive OPTIHAMA giveaways and more.

For the first time in the race’s history, the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be broadcast in its entirety on June 22 via the RACER Network cable channel and the RACER+ streaming app. Yokohama driver Robb Holland will live-stream his run with an onboard camera, another first for the event.

Along with the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, Yokohama’s extensive list of 2025 North American-based motorsports activities — both on- and off-road — includes Porsche Endurance Challenge North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Mustang Cup, Subaru Motorsports USA sponsorship, Yokohama Tire King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge Race, Championship Off-Road Series, SCORE and the TrophyLite Series.

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