SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 25, 2024 – Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is thrilled to announce a triumphant win in the GT300 class at Round 7 of the 2024 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series, Japan's premier touring car racing series. The victory was secured by the JLOC team's VENTENY Lamborghini GT3, driven by Takashi Kogure and Yuya Motojima, relying on the exceptional performance of Yokohama's global flagship ADVAN tires.
Round 7, held at the AUTOPOLIS Circuit in Oita Prefecture on October 19-20, was a challenging race due to adverse weather conditions that forced qualifying and final races to be held on the same day, Sunday, October 20th. Despite starting from 15th position after the qualifying race, Kogure and Motojima executed a remarkable comeback to secure their second win of the season.
The race itself was action-packed, with four safety car deployments due to various on-track incidents. Motojima, starting the race, maintained a high-speed, steady pace. After the second safety car period, Motojima skillfully navigated through the field to reach a leading position before handing over the car to Kogure. Kogure seized the opportunity during the third safety car interruption to take the lead and relentlessly pushed the pace, keeping competitors at bay. A final safety car deployment with only 17 minutes left in the three-hour race ultimately led to a victory under caution for the VENTENY Lamborghini GT3.
This win elevates Kogure and Motojima to third place in the driver standings with two races remaining in the series. Yokohama Rubber remains committed to its ADVAN CHALLENGE initiative, aiming to maximize ADVAN tire sales and recapture the GT300 class championship.
"This victory at Round 7 is a testament to the performance capabilities of our ADVAN tires," said a representative from Yokohama Rubber. "We are proud to support the JLOC team and their drivers, Takashi Kogure and Yuya Motojima, in their pursuit of the GT300 championship."
Yokohama Rubber's participation in motorsports is a key component of its Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026) medium-term management plan. The plan prioritizes high-value-added tires like ADVAN and GEOLANDAR, with motorsports serving as a critical platform to showcase and develop these brands.
About Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive tire and rubber manufacturer based in Hiratsuka, Japan. Founded in 1917, the company has a rich history of innovation and excellence in tire technology. Yokohama Rubber is committed to providing high-quality tires for various applications, from passenger cars and SUVs to commercial trucks and motorsports. The company's global flagship ADVAN brand represents the pinnacle of high-performance tire technology, while the GEOLANDAR brand caters to the growing SUV and pickup truck segment.