Summary:
Today there are a multitude of very high performance tyre profiles and many manufacturers offer products intended for competition and other uses in their range. Among all these tyres, it is not always easy to make the right choice. In this buying guide, we provide an overview of Yokohama brand “racing” tyres by detailing their main characteristics and areas of application.
1. Yokohama and the birth of Advan
Founded in 1917 following a union between Yokohama Electric Cable Manufacturing and BF Goodrich, the Japanese company Yokohama quickly established itself as a major manufacturer, first in its home country and then worldwide. Developing all kinds of tyre profiles, the brand has naturally taken an interest in motorsport by offering emblematic compounds such as the G.T. Special and the Y801 and 802.
In 1978, Yokohama decided to launch a new high performance range, called Advan. The HF, Globa and Neova models then notably marked the history of the manufacturer. Thanks to Advan, the brand acquired over time a great experience in all fields of competition, such as rally, circuit, formula, endurance, hill climb, gymkhana… Today, the Advan label is one of the most famous in the world of motorsport and a must for many sports driving enthusiasts.
2. A Yokohama Advan tyre for every use
Yokohama Advan tyres cover all types of motorsports by offering slick, semi-slick, rain and dirt tyres, etc. with different compound hardnesses. Here are currently the main “racing” tyres from the Tokyo manufacturer, classified by category, with also a selection of so-called “semi-racing” tyres (road approved):
Circuit / Hill climb / Gymkhana / Formula / Rallycross
ADVAN A005:
This dry/mixed slick tyre is particularly suitable for circuit and hill climbing. It has been used for many years in TCR (formerly WTCC). This tyre is available in SS (Super Soft), S (Soft), M (Medium) and H (Hard) compounds, in sizes from 13 to 20 inches. The A005 is also available in the rain range with recutting.
ADVAN A006F + A006N:
These rain tyres are intended primarily for use on circuits and in hill climb racing. The A006F and the A006N both allow optimal water evacuation thanks to their grooves. They are available in S (Soft), M (Medium) and H (Hard) compounds for sizes from 15 to 19 inches. They don’t need to be recut.
Advan Y801:
This dry/mixed slick tyre is recommended for formula, rallycross and hill climb events. The Y801 is available in sizes from 13 to 16 inches, in SS (Super Soft), S (Soft) and M (Medium) compound depending on the motorsports type.
Advan A054:
This tyre is specially designed for rallycross and performs very well on both cobbles and dirt. This A054 is available in 17 inches only with M (Medium) compound.
Circuit / Asphalt rally / Historic
Advan A048:
This dry/mixed semi-slick tyre is versatile and can be used in asphalt rallies, circuits or historic events. It is offered in S (Soft), M (Medium) and MH (Hard) compounds in sizes ranging from 12 to 18 inches. The A048 can be recut in S (Soft) compound for rain use.
Advan A021R:
This rain tyre adapted to circuit, asphalt rally and historic events is suitable for light vehicles of less than 1200 kg. The A021R is available in M (Medium) compound in sizes 13 and 14 inches. It does not require recutting, which saves time when changing tyres during the race.
Advan A006T:
This dry/mixed/wet tyre is ideal for asphalt rallies. It is available from 15 to 18 inches in SS (Super Soft), S (Soft) and M (Medium) compounds. This A006T can be recut in SS (Super Soft) compound for use in the rain.
Advan A051T:
This dry/mixed/wet tyre is intended for use in asphalt rallies. Available from 16 to 18 inches, the A051T is available in SS (Super Soft), S (Soft) and M (Medium) compounds. This tyre can be recut for mixed or wet use.
Dirt rally / Autocross
Advan A036:
This dirt tyre is recommended for rally and autocross events on paved roads or in poor condition, and very hard terrain. The A036 is only available in S (Soft) compound and in 15 inches.
Advan A035:
This dry/wet tyre works very well on soft and hard ground. It is notably used in the French Dirt Rally Championship. This tyre is available in A30 (Super Soft), A50 (Soft) and A70 (Hard) compounds in sizes ranging from 13 to 15 inches. This A035 can be recut for better performance on soft dirt and mud.
Advan A031:
This dirt tyre is the specialist for soft ground and mud. Suitable for dirt and autocross rallies, the A031 is only available in 15 inches with an S (Soft) compound.
Advan A053:
This dry/wet tyre with an asymmetrical-directional tread is used in dirt and autocross rallies. The A053 offers A30 (Super Soft), A50 (Soft) and A70 (Hard) compounds for a 15 inches size. A recut is possible to face the most soggy terrains.
Track days / Road
Advan A048 (road approved):
This dry/mixed semi-slick tyre, well known to racing drivers, is also available in many street-legal sizes. The A048 is therefore ideal for road use or track days. This “classic” high-performance tyre is available in sizes from 14 to 18 inches with S (Soft), M (Medium) and MH (Hard) compounds.
Advan A052 (road approved):
This semi-slick tyre is the successor to the highly regarded A048. It features a tread pattern inspired by the A051T for superior wet and dry performance. This A052 covers sizes from 16 to 18 inches.
Advan AD08 + AD08R + AD08RS (road approved):
This dry/mixed semi-slick tyre offers excellent performance thanks to its exclusive compound designed to promote grip in all conditions. The AD08 has been replaced by the AD08R, an evolution proven on the Tsukuba circuit, before the arrival of the AD08RS in accordance with the new European regulations on rolling resistance. Available from 15 to 19 inches.
Note : Most racing tyres use a slightly different sizing system than road tyres. For example, for a 210/580 R16 slick, the second number here does not represent the percentage ratio of tyre width to sidewall height, but the outside diameter of the tyre in millimeters.
Photos sources: Yokohama / DR