This disclosure describes systems and methods which utilize organoclays compounded with zinc acrylates to improve the performance of drive belts. In performing research on organoclays, the inventors created formulations and methods of compatibilizing organoclays with metal salts of α-β-unsaturated organic acids and incorporating the compatibilized organoclays into the belt compound so that the planar organoclay particles are substantially aligned with the longitudinal plane of the belt. This is shown to provide a) lower Mooney viscosity (resulting in greater ease of processing), b) higher stiffness (both tensile and dynamic) c) improved tear resistance, d) lower crack growth rate and e) nearly equivalent fatigue resistance in spite of the increased stiffness. This combination of traits in the belts created utilizing the organoclay/zinc acrylate technology described herein results in an unexpectedly improved belt.