Couldn't be more wrong about that.
Natural rubber is becoming more and more expensive (especially with so many South American countries in termoil) and is being slowly replaced with more and more synthetic rubber (ie plastic) because of it's lower cost.
Natural rubber is certainly not natural rubber - Where it comes from, how it is pulled, worked, stored, etc etc. can be a big factor in how it works as well.
As far as the EL -- it may last forever, but it's certainly not fast forever.
The tire companies are constantly working on different blends (recipes) for their compounds for grip, softness, durability, etc.
In an open tire world, these companies would compete primarily based on performance of their tires. When it comes to spec tire rules, the emphasis on performance dwindles considerably. There is no motivation to make a "faster" tire since everyone will be using the same brand anyways. Instead the emphasis leans toward economy (profitability and sustainability.) They have to consider how much the tire company will save by producing 1 "ok" tire in larger quantities and then give back to the series/tracks and still maintain a reasonable profit.
Yes, the tire companies can produce tires that will be faster, but it's become a much better business decision to buy the loyalty of tracks and series to mandate the use of their company's products over getting into an R&D spending frenzy to produce a faster tire than their competition.
This isn't exclusive to karting by any means - we see it across all levels of motorsports.
Oh yea, and the working and prepping of tires exists elsewhere outside of karting too.
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?Thanks and God bless,
Brian Carlson
Carlson Racing Engines
Vector Cut
z
www.CarlsonMotorsports.com
Carlson Motorsports on
Facebook
30 years of service to the karting industry
Linden, IN
765-339-4407
bcarlson@CarlsonMotorsports.com
-----
?Thanks and God bless,
Brian Carlson
Carlson Racing Engines
Vector Cut
z
www.CarlsonMotorsports.com
Carlson Motorsports on
Facebook
30 years of service to the karting industry
Linden, IN
765-339-4407
bcarlson@CarlsonMotorsports.com