Yokohama's off-road racers reflect on the 2013 season

Dec. 12, 2013

From Nevada to Mexico, Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) and the Desert Assassins off-road racing team covered a lot of rugged, dusty ground during the 2013 season, producing several highlights, some even historic. The Desert Assassins were led by husband and wife duo Cameron and Heidi Steele, who campaigned their 800-horsepower Geiser Brothers Trophy Trucks on off-road racing-engineered Yokohama Geolander A/T-S R tires.

“The season had far more ups than downs,” said Cameron, who kicked the year off in style in January, winning the HDRA South Point Vegas 250 in Jean, Nevada. The race was the season opener for HDRA (High Desert Racing Association).

“The Yokohama Geolanders are engineered specifically for the punishing off-road racing conditions,” said Cameron. “They were a key component of our victory in January.”

Heidi, a four-time SCORE (Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts) Class champion who spent the season exclusively in the Trophy Truck division, made history by partnering with co-driver Jessica McMillin -- also a SCORE champion -- to form the first all-woman Trophy Truck driver tandem in SCORE racing. They also became the first female Trophy Truck team to tackle the tough Baja 1000 in November in Ensenada, Mexico.

Heidi and Cameron each earned SCORE Toyota Milestone awards for completing all 1,638.1 grueling miles in the SCORE Desert Series. They became the first married couple to win the award.

“The conditions that the Trophy Trucks are subjected to during the season are off the charts,” said Duane Sampson, YTC motorsports manager. “Finishing any event is a badge of honor. To finish all of the events is a testament to the Desert Assassins’ preparation and the extraordinary capabilities of the Yokohama Geolander tires. We are looking forward to more success in 2014.”

Yokohama Tire Corp. is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

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