Blog Item No. 1

Submitted by tigerfish on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 10:41

We have noticed from various feedback and posts on North American based forums that a number of North American observers are seeing a decline in the use of foam tyres for Electric touring car (Sedan). The age old problems of ‘sheet’ manufactured  tyres are coming back as reasons for the decline and, as you know, were precisely the reason why we decided to develop a new foam rubber technology back in 2004. As you know this ‘Sheet’ processing method with similar compounds coming from a couple of sources in the world has meant that foam tyres, particularly for Electric indoor racing, have had the same old limitations i.e. poor & irregular wear rates, poor chunk resistance, poor bonding and quite unpredictable drive qualities. These ‘sheet’ foam tyres also require regular maintenance and often a large range needed to be held by each driver to cover all conditions. Also, In North America at least, they are still using large levels of additive to improve grip/traction.

 As some of you know we looked at this and thought there is a better way and Electric Gecko tyres are the result. We have a 100% constant hardness across the tread which ensures a 100% contact patch not possible with the laminated sheet system and all in new unique formulations.  

In Europe we are proving that the Electric Gecko tyres have far superior grip and significantly better wear rates (50% more or greater), the wear rates are also more predictable. Together with good chunk resistance and a good bond all this means the tyres last far longer and perform far better. A key point here perhaps is that we are doing this without the need for additive to get the good traction. Additive is banned for some scale classes in some countries in Europe because of the damage it causes carpet, its health problems and it is an extra cost plus it brings a lot of variation in its use and application i.e. different rates of evaporation etc…

 With our competitive prices to add and the fact that the market is talking of the decline of conventional foam tyres in Electric TC it seems now is a very good time for people to be introduced to Electric Gecko tyres and all the new benefits they offer.

 I noticed at the recent 'Novak' (touring car only) event that not many foam classes were run and those that were did not have many entrees I have also noticed that ‘Spec’ rubber tyres are becoming favoured for touring cars in North America and I honestly feel that a Gecko foam rubber tyre could offer drivers far more as a control tyre and the Gecko foam rubber technology compares extremely well to the rubber tyres. Users over here have been saying that the Electric Gecko tyres offer the best of both worlds.

 We could supply clubs and major events with a consistent single hardness hard wearing foam rubber tyre that will grip far more than any rubber tyre with an excellent life and NO ADDITIVE IS REQUIRED. This means all the problems with additive (listed above) can be avoided and the drivers can have a far more exciting, (Healthy!) and cost effective way of racing Touring Cars indoors in North America. In Europe we are getting clubs and national events to move over to the Electric Gecko tyre (from rubber tyres!) for many of the above reasons. 

 I would be interested to hear some feedback from drivers around the world on this?