FULLERTON, Calif.—Yokohama Tire Corp. said it will unveil its newest ultra-high-performance tire, the Advan Neova AD08 R, during a Formula Drift event this week.
Formula Drift racer Michael Essa will put the new tire through its paces during a drifting event at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., July 19-20.
Yokohama said Essa, who won FD's recent race in Palm Beach, Fla., and is currently in third place, will switch his regular Advan Neova AD08s on his GSR Autosport E46 BMW M3 for the next-generation Advan Neova AD08 R version, which went on sale to the public on July 1.
"The regular AD08s were very fast and offered a lot of grip, but I've tested the AD08 Rs and they are even better," Essa said. "Yokohama's known for its high-performance tire technology, and the new AD08 Rs should really help me and the team to achieve the best results possible."
The AD08 R is designed with a specialized compound featuring Yokohama's orange oil technology for enhanced traction and road surface adhesion, the company said. The compound also includes micro silica and extra carbon to further improve dry grip and a macromolecule-blended polymer for greater rigidity and resistance to wear.
"The AD08 R uses the best of our race design and technology for improved grip in both wet and dry conditions," said Matt Johnson, Yokohama performance marketing supervisor.