Yokohama Tire’s Off-Road Team Gears Up for King of the Hammers

Yokohama Tire’s off-road team is headed to Johnson Valley, California, for the annual King of the Hammers (KOH) race. The tiremaker is the title sponsor of the Yokohama Tire Every Man Challenge (EMC) race for the second consecutive year, and the company will field several drivers in nine classes at the race, which runs from Jan. 22 to Feb. 7. All Yokohama drivers will compete on various GEOLANDAR tires, company officials stated in a press release.

Veteran Team Yokohama members returning to KOH include Wayne and Kristen Matlock, who will compete again in their Factory RZR Pro-R in the UTV Pro Open, while Levi Shirley will line up for his 14th King of the Hammers start in the 4400 class. Philip McGilton, backed by Yokohama and Southern Tire Mart, is entered in the 4400 class and the 4900 class.

Bailey Cole will be racing in three classes at KOH (including the EMC), and Jonathan and Jordan Brenthel will be in the T1 & T2 classes. Mitchell Alsup, Michael McFayden and Josh Row will all be running in the UTV Pro Open.

Cameron Steele is back and competing in several classes, including King of the Motos events, the Desert Challenge and the UTV Hammers Championship. Steele will also be contending in the Every Man Challenge race, looking to better his 2025 3rd-place finish.

The Warrior Built Foundation will also be on the lakebed, taking on the Class 11 Showdown with military veterans behind the wheel as they battle 50 other 1960s-era “Class 11” VW Beetles. Throughout the week, Yokohama will honor veterans by giving away one set of tires as a “thank-you” for their service, the company said.

Warrior Built will also participate in several additional opportunities in partnership with King of the Hammers and Optima Batteries, further showcasing their commitment to the off-road community and those who served.

Yokohama Activations, Events & Giveaways at King of the Hammers

Yokohama says that it has a full slate of activities planned both on and off the racecourse throughout Hammertown. Team Yokohama athletes from a variety of on-road disciplines will be on-site to experience everything King of the Hammers has to offer.

The company will have its complete GEOLANDAR product lineup on display at its Yokohama activation rig, where visitors can also enter for a chance to win a set of Yokohama tires.

In partnership with Optima Batteries, Yokohama will host the Optihama Block Party at the Optima Oasis on Feb. 5. The event will feature the Trailer Park Drift, where Team Yokohama athletes will go head-to-head with other King of the Hammers racers. Guests can enjoy giveaways, live music and a campfire as the festivities lead into the biggest races of the year, noted the release.

“Yokohama is thrilled to sponsor the King of the Hammer’s Every Man Challenge again,” said Candace Cogan, Yokohama’s director of product marketing. “It’s one of the biggest, most popular and extremely challenging races and offers grassroots competitors the chance to race the King of the Hammers course. Our Team Yokohama drivers can’t wait to compete in it and all the other classes at KOH. Plus, Yokohama will roll out a new racer and contingency program that is open to anyone competing at KOH.”

For more info on Yokohama motorsports programs, go to yokohamatire.com/motorsports.