Rubber Company Helps NASCAR Teams Match Engines to Tracks

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 15 -- Each NASCAR racetrack rolls out unique demands on race engine setups, so NASCAR teams turn to Goodyear Engineered Products and its lineup of automotive belts to help optimize performance.

"Last week, many teams used mechanical cooling fans for engines at the Martinsville Speedway's 1/2-mile oval track," explained Mike Gregg, chief belt engineer for Goodyear. "This weekend's race at the Texas Motor Speedway's 1- 1/2 mile quad-oval doesn't require the fans, which means a different engine configuration and different belts."

Goodyear Gatorback Poly-V belts, found on every Nextel Cup Series racecar, have the flexibility built into them to match changing engine demands brought on by varying track lengths, surfaces and banking, said Gregg.

Goodyear provides 200 Gatorback Poly-V belt sizes to NASCAR engine builders, varying the length and number of ribs for use on alternators, cam and power steering drives, and water and oil pumps. "We provide countless combinations and configurations to meet their individual engineering demands," said Gregg.

"Engine setups at Texas will include belt-and-pulley ratios designed to overcome sustained high revolutions-per-minute," he said. "For much of the race, engines will be turning more than 9,000 rpm."

He added that high-power steering pump loads also will occur at the Texas track.

For 24 years, Goodyear has supplied automotive belts to NASCAR, and three years ago introduced the Gatorback Poly-V belt to match increased horsepower engines and torturous race conditions. Today, Gatorback belts are used by every Nextel Cup Series race team and are the same belts that can be purchased by race fans straight from the shelves of auto parts retailers.

Gatorback's tooth design, which resembles the back of an alligator, provides greater flexibility and more exposed surface, allowing the belt to run cooler and last longer than conventional belts. It also clears sand and other track debris that can damage belts during races.

Goodyear Engineered Products is the exclusive NASCAR licensee of automotive aftermarket belts and hose - including Goodyear Gatorback Poly-V and v-belts, timing belts and curved radiator hose. For more information, visit http://www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com/ .