Yokohama Tire Corporation Sponsoring 'Hooked on Driving' Events

Consumer and dealer promotions planned with Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, UCLA and USC

Contact: Michael F. Hollander, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4981 mhollander@pcgcampbell.com

FULLERTON, Calif. - ( May 4, 2007) - Yokohama's ADVAN® tire is the Official Tire of Hooked On Driving, a 14-event performance driving instructional program aimed at improving the technique of performance car drivers. Driving events are at the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, Calif., and Reno-Fernley Raceway in Nevada. Each event allows the driver valuable time on the track, as well as access to driving coaches that give the participant opportunities to either hone their skills or gain new ones, according to David Ray, HOD founder and CEO.

"HOD provides amateur high-performance sports car owners the opportunity to drive their cars at a higher level than they can on the street while remaining in a controlled environment," said Ray. "I've been driving on and racing Yokohama tires for more than 20 years and I'm thrilled to have them as a partner with Hooked on Driving."

"Hooked on Driving is a natural fit for ADVAN," said Jim Mayfield, director ADVAN brand. "They connect with sports car enthusiasts who appreciate ADVAN's race heritage and the iconic reputation that goes behind it as an ultra-high-performance brand."

ADVAN tires are rigorously tested in the competitive arena of motorsports and use Yokohama's most advanced technology. The ADVAN line includes ADVAN Neova®, ADVAN S.T. ®, ADVAN Sport®, ADVAN A048® and ADVAN S.4®.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires for more than 90 years. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.