Baja 500, Red Bull Global Rallycross on tap for Yokohama

Dirt will be flying as Yokohama Tire Corporation’s (YTC) motorsports teams tackle two tough races: the 46th annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 desert duel, June 5-8 in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico, and the Red Bull Global Rallycross (GRC) competition at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on June 7.

“These two races will test our teams and tires in many ways,” said Duane Sampson, YTC manager, motorsports. “The Baja 500 is a grueling battle contested over multiple terrains like high-speed dirt trails, sand, rocks, washes and canyons. GRC tracks feature a mix of dirt, asphalt, multiple obstacles and giant jumps. Both events will show the versatility and durability of our tires.”

Yokohama will field two 800-horsepower Trophy Trucks at the Baja 500 on specially-engineered 40-inch GEOLANDAR A/T-S R tires. Off-road veteran Cameron Steele will be in the No. 16 truck, while his wife Heidi Steele (a two-time Baja 500 winner in Class 6) will co-pilot the No. 14 truck with Jessica McMillin.

The Red Bull GRC event coincides with the inaugural X Games Austin. GRC blends the best of circuit racing, off-road racing, and rally competition. YTC’s specially-designed Yokohama ADVAN race tires are the series’ spec tires and mounted on all the heavily-modified 600-horsepower production-based cars. Austin is the second round of the 10-race series.