SEMA – Apparently, The Place for New Tire Technology
SEMA 2009 – it’s not only the place for sexy booth girls and a slew of enhanced automobiles, it’s where companies show off the most insane tire designs ever. The rubber wheel hasn’t been updated much since Goodyear started pumping them out of Akron, Ohio (obvious shout out) decades ago. But now we have the combination of tank treads and automobile “tyres” – showing that an everyday commuter can be prepared for the end of life as we know it. I mean, you won’t be able to roll over skulls of our future cybernetic overlords post-battle with a set of Bridgestone radials.
First up at SEMA we’ve got Resilient Technologies’ NPT – Non-Pneumatic Tire, under development by the US Military with prototype delivery scheduled for late 2011. According to Resilient PR: “US military Humvees currently operate with a pneumatic tire with a run-flat donuts insert. After a “ballistic event” where pressure is lost, the trucks can limp away at 30 MPH for up to 30 miles. The Resilient Technologies NPT is designed to operate at full capacity after an event with no limit to top speed or range.” An unlimited, non-tread-wearing bullet and bomb proof tire, probably something you want in the deserts of Afghanistan (Yes, we’re still over there).
But you don’t need to be in the Military for a good tank wheel – just get a Ken Block Subaru complete with Mattracks all-terrain tracks. It’s a must have if you live in New Hampshire or Vermont – Ken Block’s 400 horse power Subaru WRX STI “all-terrain” wants to be out in the snow as often as possible, and can handle the ice underneath.
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