Yokohama Tire, Porsche Announce New Race Series
Yokohama and Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) have announced a new racing series and partnership with the United States Auto Club (USAC).
Yokohama will be the official tire partner and presenting sponsor for the USAC-sanctioned 2021 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Yokohama’s ADVAN A005 and A006 race slicks will be the spec tires for the nine-race, one-make series, which kicks-off March 5-7 2021 at Sonoma Raceway.
The series will take place at storied race venues throughout the U.S. and Canada, and feature Porsche 991.1 and 991.2 GT3 Cup cars, as well as the 718 Cayman Clubsport GT4. There will be three classes: Platinum (991.2), Gold (991.1) and Silver (718 Cayman Clubsport).
“We’re honored to be a part of the inaugural Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama Tire’s vice president of marketing and product management. “The USAC-sanctioned series perfectly fits our motorsports strategy and is another excellent opportunity to continue working with our longtime partner Porsche Motorsport North America. We’re looking forward to spotlighting our ADVAN® tires next season in this exciting new series.”
Yokohama is also the sponsor and sole tire supplier for The Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama and the 2020 Porsche Sprint Trophy USA West. Yokohama also served as the marketing and technical partner for the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama from 2009 to 2020, and for five seasons with the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama.
“Our goal with the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama is to create a clear first step up from club level racing while establishing a direct path to higher level motorsport,” said Erik Skirmants, series manager, Porsche Motorsport North America. “A key to this series success is the choice to have Yokohama as our tire and series partner. We needed world class tires and technical support and Yokohama has always exceeded expectations as a partner. Yokohama is also a customer favorite which makes this continued relationship a winner for all involved.”
“USAC’s expansion into the Porsche Sprint Challenge can be traced back to the early 1960s when USAC hosted the United States Road Racing Series. In fact, the last USAC Road Racing Champion was Roger Penske in 1962,” stated Kevin Miller, president & CEO of USAC. “We are thrilled to partner with Porsche and Yokohama to bring this premier series to some of the most iconic road racing venues in the U.S. and Canada”
