Car with Yokohama Geolander Tires to Compete in 2020 Dakar Rally

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that a car that has been fitted with its renowned Geolander M/T G003 tires will be participating in the 2020 Dakar Rally. This tire is meant to be used in SUVs and pickup trucks and will be used in a KORANDO DKR vehicle that will be steered by the duo of Oscar Fuertes Aldanondo and Diego Vallejo. They will be representing SSANGYONG MOTORSPORT/ SODICARS RACING in the 2020 Dakar Rally which is scheduled to be held from January 5 to17. The very same vehicle which was driven by the same team had placed third in the T1.3 petrol 2-wheel drive category in the January 2019 Dakar Rally. In 2020, the team will be competing again in the T1.3 class.

Though the Dakar Rally has been held in South America in recent years, the 2020 rally will be held in Saudi Arabia. The rally will comprise 12 stages that will span the entire kingdom, with most of the ground covered being desert territory. The rally will begin in Jeddah on January 5 and cover a route of 7,500km with the end point being in Qiddiya on January 17.

Geolander M/T G003 tires were developed with the goal of providing off-road driving enthusiasts with tires that deliver the ultimate performance on every off-road surface ranging from mud to rock, dirt and gravel. The company is continually striving to extend the tires’ useful life by enhancing their durability and wear resistance. The development team is also dedicated to creating a tire design that strengthens the vehicle’s off-road image. The end result is an aggressive-looking tire that caters to the needs of users to enjoy off-road driving in a dressed-up vehicle. The Geolander M/T G003 tire has a strong track record for delivering superior performance in motor sports events, including on the victorious car in the APL SMOKIN’ WHEELS 2018 sprint endurance off-road race held in Guam.

The technology strategy outlined in Yokohama Rubber’s Grand Design 2020 (GD2020) medium-term management plan outlines participation in motor sports activities as being key to the drive to enhance develop new tire technologies. Yokohama Rubber is hence participating in a wide range of events in Japan and around the globe, from formula and touring car races to off-road and kart races.