Goodyear Engineered Products Carbon-Fiber Belt Available for Your Snowmobile

LINCOLN, Neb., Oct. 21, 2009 -- Reactive belt is snow bound - Goodyear® Gatorback® Sport carbon-fiber CVT belt helps prevent "hour-glass" wear in snowmobiles and is built in specific sizes to match individual sleds.

As outdoor enthusiasts gear-up for winter, one equipment upgrade will help them get out into the cold - and back.

New Goodyear Engineered Products Gatorback Sport snowmobile belts use reactive carbon-fiber technology and top-side cogs for a tough, flexible belt providing increased resistance to flex fatigue and "hour-glass" or sidewall wear - two issues that could potentially strand a rider miles from home in the cold.

Designed after the Gatorback Sport ATV belt, the continuous variable transmission (CVT) belt uses carbon-fiber reinforcement to add stiffness across the width of the belt. The carbon-fiber reinforcement gives the sidewall superior wear resistance and ensures that the belt stays in contact with the pulleys.

"Threadlike strands of carbon fiber are strong, flexible, and light-weight," said Loren Danhauer, chief belt engineer for Veyance Technologies, the exclusive manufacturer of Goodyear Engineered Products. "The design for the snow belt was derived from the automotive Gatorback belt used in all NASCAR race cars."

Apart from increased stiffness across the belt, Danhauer said that the rubber-carbon-fiber compound allows for natural slip and abrasion resistance. During strenuous use, the fibers rise to the surface of the compound allowing slip without sacrificing belt wear. After the strenuous activity ceases, the surface fibers are wiped away, allowing the belt to provide quick and clear throttle response for more power precisely when it's needed.

The snow belt's top-side cogs differentiate it from the Gatorback Sport ATV belt, acting to relieve tension and increase the belt's flexibility. Meanwhile, patented Goodyear Flexten cord inside the belt provides stability to transmit horsepower while reducing stretch over the belt's life.

Pushed to the extremes during independent testing, the Gatorback Sport snow belt underwent rigorous uphill climb, rapid acceleration and tandem riding tests.

Veyance Technologies, Inc. is the exclusive manufacturer of Goodyear Engineered Products worldwide. In addition to aftermarket power sport products, Veyance markets Goodyear-branded air springs, automotive belts and hoses, conveyor belts and services, industrial and hydraulic hose, power transmission products, rubber track and molded products. GOODYEAR® and GATORBACK® trademarks are used by Veyance Technologies under license from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. For more information go to http://www.goodyearep.com/.