Motorsports: Yokohama to field team in IRC

Japanese tyre major Yokohama's wholly-owned subsidiary Yokohama India Pvt Ltd will be fielding a two-car team in the FMSCI Indian Rally Championship 2015, it was announced here on Tuesday.

Team Yokohama will comprise last season's champions in the 2000 cc class Rahul Kanthraj and co-driver Vivek Bhatt who will continue their association for the 16th year without a break in a Mitsubishi Cedia, and young Karna Kadur along with M Chandrasekhar who will be participating in the 1600 cc class, driving a Volkswagen Polo.

Yokohama will also be supporting the experienced pair of Prithvi Domnic and co-driver Pruthvi Ithal in the 2000 cc class.

The first round of the 2015 IRC season will be held in Nashik with the Mahindra Adventure Rally of Maharashtra from June 12 to 14.

Yokohama is no stranger to the Indian rallying scene. From 2008 to 2010, Yokohama had been the official tyre partner to Red Rooster Racing for National Rally championship events.

Since 2008, Yokohama has supported cars that have always found a place on the podium at Raid De Himalaya, one of the toughest rallies.

The duo of Kanthraj and Bhatt started rallying together in 2000 and has participated in over 75 rallies, winning four Group and National championships while finishing runners-up on four other occasions.

Kadur, who has been part of over 95 (2 and 4 wheel) events and has won two National Championship titles, has had 80 podium finishes.

Introducing the team, Takeshi Harada, director (sales & marketing), Yokohama India Pvt Ltd. said: "Yokohama has been part of Motorsports events the world over. I would also like to mention the completion of 10 years as a sole tyre supplier to WTCC, an FIA World Championship, which is a proud moment.

"Therefore, for us participating in the IRC was a foregone conclusion as Motorsports is today part of the Yokohama philosophy."

Sanjay Chatterjee, general manager, Yokohama India Pvt Ltd., said: "The launch of Team Yokohama is a proud moment. We have been providing tyre support for and participating in various Motorsports events in India since 2008 and excellent results have encouraged us to continue in this course."