Tokyo-The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that it will supply the control tyre for the 2006 FIA World Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC). This is the third FIA-titled world championship after Formula 1 and the FIA World Rally Championship. In 2005, FIA WTCC races will be in 10 countries in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Yokohama will replace Michelin, which has been the supplier since 2001.

The tyres will be the 230/610R17 ADVAN A005 for dry conditions and ADVAN A006G for the wet. These models balance speed and durability for different racetracks while performing equally well on all competing cars.

Yokohama's position as supplier of the control tyre for the 2006 FIA WTCC builds on the company's success in providing tyres for the victorious Roberto Ravaglia of the BMW Team in the only previous World Touring Car Championship, in 1987. The company's extensive involvement in motorsport has included providing tyres for such premier events as the 24 hours of Le Mans. Yokohama will also supply the control tyre for the inaugural FIA European Touring Car Cup race, to be held on October 16, 2005.

The FIA WTCC will be an important showcase for ADVAN, which Yokohama launched in 2005 as a global flagship brand that symbolizes the company's pursuit of outstanding performance and quality.