Yokohama Drivers Ride ADVAN® Tires to Division Victories, Record-Breaking Runs at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Yokohama-sponsored drivers, competing on ADVAN tires, shattered records and captured multiple division titles at the recent Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Led by Robin Shute, who has brought Yokohama two overall “King of the Mountain” titles, the tiremaker claimed four division wins and broke several records during the 104th running of the iconic “Race to the Clouds.”
Shute, who nearly claimed his third overall championship for Yokohama (and 5th overall), guided his self-designed 2026 Sendycar to victory in the Unlimited Division (Super Unlimited Class) in 8 minutes, 29.497 seconds. Driving masterfully on ADVAN A005 tires (featuring a special compound developed specifically by Yokohama for Pikes Peak), Shute placed second overall and set a new rear-wheel drive record, as well as clocking the 4th fastest time in the history of the hill climb.
“Three years in the making, both the Sendycar and Yokohama’s custom hill climb tires have proven their potential on the mountain,” said Shute. “This was a development year for us all, and the results have already exceeded my expectations. I can confidently say we are on course to rewrite history and set a new mountain record. Bring on a fantastic 2027 with Yokohama!”
- Laura Hayes, who already held the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama – Turbo class record, upped it with a breath-taking 10:17.538 1st place run in her ADVAN A052-shod Toyota Supra GT4. The tiremaker returned as the exclusive tire supplier for the GT4 division for the ninth consecutive year.
- First-timer Billy Johnson had a great day, taking 1st place in Pikes Peak Open and earning 2026 PPIHC Rookie of the Year. He drove his 2015 Porsche GT3 Turbo Cup, “Lucy,” fitted with ADVAN A005 tires to a winning time of 9:12.723 – the fastest time ever in a Porsche. He also finished 6th overall.
- Clint Vahsholtz secured his 25th class win at PPIHC with a victory in the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama - Naturally Aspirated class in a 2022 Porsche GT4 on ADVAN A052 tires with a time of 10:42.790.
- Cole Powelson set the fastest time ever in a UTV by placing 3rd in the Unlimited Division (Production Based Class) in his 2025 Stryker Rogue Maverick on ADVAN A005 tires. His time was 10:18.356.
“Great day on the mountain for our Team Yokohama drivers,” said Patricia Wall, Yokohama’s senior manager of motorsports. “From Robin Shute’s ground breaking run on bespoke ADVAN tires to the strong performances by our class winners and every driver competing on ADVAN, it was a tremendous showcase. Hats off to them and their crews for demonstrating what our versatile tires can deliver in challenging conditions.”
