Tokyo-The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., today announced that it will, as part of its effort to tackle environmental issues, support a project to participate in the memorable 30th Dakar Rally 2008 with a car using bio-diesel fuel refined from used tempura (deep fry) oil. For Yokohama Rubber, it will be the second consecutive annual project following the one in this year. Dakar Rally 2008 will start in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 5. Dakar Rally 2008 is formally called the Euromilhões Lisboa Dakar 2008.

The project called the OSU Dakar Rally Project was launched in June last year mainly by Osaka Sangyo University to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection through motor sports. Ukyo Katayama, a renowned racing driver is another participant in the project. In 2007, the project team won the 68th place in the general category and the 19th place in its class after running the whole distance regardless of its world's first use of 100% bio-diesel fuel in car racing. For the forthcoming rally, Yokohama Rubber will provide the team with GEOLANDAR A/T-S tires with Dakar Rally 2008 specifications. The tire features superior durability and abrasion resistance and offers running performance improved through the use of a new material called "Orange Oil". The car, Toyota Land Cruiser 100, will be driven by Mr. Katayama.

Yokohama Rubber supports the project as part of the company's activities to contribute to the preservation of environment. Under the slogan of ecoMOTION, the company develops a variety of environmentally sound products, promotes environmental activities at its production and office-work sites, and supports social activities contributing to the environment.