Returning to short-course racing for the first time since 1994, Yokohama has become an associate sponsor of the eight-weekend 2010 Lucas Oil Off-Road Series.

The one-year agreement includes track signage and presence in the vendor/pit areas of the facilities.

“Partnering with Lucas Oil and its successful off-road racing series is another positive step for our expanding motorsports program, and it benefits Yokohama in a variety of ways,” says Mark Chung, Yokohama’s director of corporate strategy and planning.

“The series has a lot of exciting classes and receives a lot of TV coverage,” he explains, “which will help us to promote our Geolandar tire line”

The circuit “combines the Midwest tradition of short-course off-road racing with a West Coast influence,” Chung observes.

“We are proud that Yokohama has chosen the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series as the venue to renew their presence in short-course off-road racing,” says Lucas’ executive vice president Bob Patison. “We value the commitment they are making to the series and our race teams.”

The last time Yokohama was involved with short-course racing was with the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series from 1989-1994. In the Lucas season, Yokohama-sponsored racers will compete in the Unlimited Lite, Unlimited Buggy and Limited Buggy classes, where the drivers will use off-the-shelf Geolandar tires.

The season consists of eight weekends featuring two races per day. There is a 15-race points championship battle, and the Challenge Cup Shootout takes place on the final day.

The season begins March 6-7 at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex in California.

Other events are:

• April 17-18, Speedworld Off-Road Park, Surprise, Ariz.

• May 22-23, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

• June 26-27, Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah

• Aug. 7-8, Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex

• Sept. 25-26, Speedworld Off-Road Park, Surprise, Ariz.

• Nov. 6-7, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

• Dec. 11-12, Firebird Raceway, Phoenix

For more information, visit www.lucasoiloffroad.com and www.yokohamatire.com.