Yokohama steps up its support of the V8 Utes

Yokohama NZ is improving its grip on the RYCO 24.7 V8 Utes Racing Series with the launch of the Yokohama Scholarship. The new award provides the season’s most improved driver with a new set of race tyres for every round, with the inaugural scholarship going to Shane Dias driving a 6-litre Holden ute.

The V8 Utes championship felt the impact of some exciting new talents during the 2020/21 season and no one epitomises this impetus more than Dias. Highly-talented yet eager to learn, Shane approaches every race with the precision he gives his day job as an aircraft mechanic.

After his success in the BMW E30 series, Shane has quickly come up to speed with driving a 400hp V8 Ute. Mild-mannered off the track, Shane saves his aggression for the race where steady improvement throughout the season saw him finish a close 3rd in his debut season.

Naturally, Shane was particularly excited to be receiving the award. “It’s awesome, it’s a huge help. I might not have been racing next season if it wasn’t for Yokohama’s support.”

Shane will receive a set of four Yokohama Advan A048 tyres – the control tyre for the V8 Utes series, for every round. Yokohama isn’t forgetting about the rest of the competitors. It is also providing two tyres as a lucky draw prize for every round, which is an amazing show of support for the entire V8 utes category.

Developed through Yokohama’s extensive motor racing experience, the DOT-rated Advan A048 delivers precise control under racing conditions. It is also a high-performer on the street being fitted as original equipment on the Lotus Elise and the Exige.

A visual reminder of the company’s support will be Yokohama branding on the tailgate of Shane’s ute, but the company’s ongoing support is already felt on a number of levels. Yokohama has been a long time supporter the V8 Utes category.

Radial Imports NZ General Manager Sam Robinson not only offers his tyre expertise to the RYCO 24.7 V8 Utes category. Sam steps up to the BBQ plate and cooks at the infamous BBQs at every round.

So with the RYCO 24.7 V8 Utes season starting in December 2021, watch out for the blue Holden ute of Shane Dias in his charge to the top of the championship ladder.