Tokyo- The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced that it will be a sponsor of the 6th Asia Cross Country Rally 2001 to be held from August 11 through 18 this year.

The Asia Cross Country Rally is an event inaugurated in 1996 for the purpose of fostering the amicable and friendly relationship between Asian countries. It is a race formally recognized by the Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT).

In contrast to the Paris-Dakar Rally held in Africa and the Baja 1000 in the United States, both of which take place in the desert, the Asia Cross Country Rally uses a course that crosses mountainous areas, jungles and rivers. The course starts in Bangkok, crosses Laos and reaches Da Nang in Vietnam as the goal. Approximately 40 cars will participate in the 2,500 km race from Asian countries including Thailand, South Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Four-wheel drive motor sports are an area where Yokohama Rubber is active, exemplified by its participation in the Baja 1000 as Team Geolandar as a part of the company's marketing activities for its Geolandar brand 4WD tires. Beginning with its sponsorship of the Asia Cross Country Rally this time, Yokohama plans to increase the support to off-the-road races in Asia. About 25 percent of all cars participating in the rally will use Geolandar M/T.