RST Hyperdrive • Roto Grip • HP4 Series
Coverstock • MicroTrax Solid Reactive Finish • 2000-grit Abralon
Core • RST + A.I. Core
Weight • 15lb. RG • 2.52 Differential • .055 PSA •.017
Layout • 4 5/8 x 4 1/8 x 2 5/8
Tester PAP • 5” R, 5/8” D Tester Axis Tilt • 11° Tester Rev Rate • 300
Test Pattern • 42' THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street

Are you a straighter player with low revs? And do you like to play straighter lines and angles? Then pay close attention because the RST Hyperdrive by Roto Grip is a perfect fit for your arsenal! Roto Grip has done a superb job of combining the RST + A.I. core with their MicroTrax Solid reactive coverstock to make the RST Hyperdrive a ball for straighter players to get excited about! So, let's take a closer look at the brilliance behind the RST Hyperdrive!

The RST (Roto Star Tour) + A.I. core is an excellent combination of torque, explosive energy, and strong continuation. I liked how the RST block inside the A.I. technology created an intense and persistent torque off my hand and down the lane. Unlike other asymmetric cores that tend to be lazy and rev later, I like how the RST core was vibrant in the mid-lane and kept building its energy as it headed down the lane. And with the addition of the A.I. Core wrapped around the RST block, there is no stopping the RST Hyperdrive! I loved how the combination of RST + A.I. core technology gave my straighter hand the explosive and striking impact at the pins I can count on. And when my low rev hand is kicking out corner pins from that steamrolling continuation the RST Hyperdrive provided, I know I am in for a great night of scoring! So, the RST + A.I. Core is an excellent fit for straighter players.

The MicroTrax Solid Reactive coverstock perfectly complements the RST + A.I. Core. It brings the RST Hyperdrive to a whole new level of striking power! Being a rev-challenged player, the coverstock on a ball can make or break my game, especially in medium to heavy oil conditions. However, with the MicroTrax solid reactive cover, there was no doubt that the MicroTrax solid and the factory 2000-grit Abralon surface would bring excellent results. The MicroTrax solid cut through the front part of the lane crisply yet had smooth and predictable traction in the mid-lane. Surprisingly, I loved how the MicroTrax solid responds to friction with a continuous, assertive bite without being so overly aggressive that it causes the ball to roll out. Lastly, as a straighter player, I liked how the MicroTrax Solid gave me the confidence to stay in my A-game for most of the night. So, if you're a straighter player, the MicroTrax solid coverstock is an excellent choice for game one and even game two on a THS, depending on your speed and rev rate. And suppose you're thinking about trying or dabbling with pattern bowling. In that case, the MicroTrax Solid reactive coverstock makes the RST Hyperdrive a great choice.

In closing, I was highly impressed with the RST Hyperdrive by Roto Grip. And there is no question -Roto Grip is undoubtedly keeping the legacy of their RST line alive with the RST Hyperdrive! The RST Hyperdrive is an excellent combination of RST + A.I. core and MicroTrax coverstock that will complement any straighter player's arsenal. So, if you're a straighter player looking for that first game ball to get you striking on medium to heavy oil conditions, the RST Hyperdrive is a great first choice! So, stop by your local Storm VIP Pro Shop today and have your Hyperdrive ready to roll for tonight's league. The Hyperdrive is well worth it!

Rick Klimowicz
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
Roll the Ball Pro Shop
Penndel, PA

You remember how good the RST X1 and RST X2 were.  They were so good I still have them in my arsenal today.  In fact, I have two RST X1’s.  Now enter Roto Grip’s newest release to combat heavier oil patterns of today.  The RST Hyperdrive features the Microtrax solid reactive cover which was on the RST-X1 and Gem, two of Roto Grip’s greatest balls of all time.  The mica particles and 2000 grit out of box on the Microtrax cover creates plenty of traction for medium to high volume patterns.  A.I. technology has improved the RST (Roto Star Tour) core that was in all previous RSTs.  It has the highest RG (2.52) of the current reactives in the SPI brand product line (similar to RST-X1’s 2.53) which ensures it doesn’t get too forward too early.  The 0.055 diff gives it plenty of flare potential to have continuous motion downlane.  That combination results in a pretty versatile ball at the top end of your arsenal.  You can go up the lane as well as open up the front on a variety of patterns before you have to ball down to an Attention Star S2 or X-Cell.  For comparison, within the current line, the RST Hyperdrive is similar to the Ion Max, but stores a little more energy and therefore has a little more backend.  I drilled mine pin up, 4 ½ from my PAP with PSA 4. 

Ball Specs:
Roto Grip RST Hyperdrive
Micro Trax Solid Reactive
Asymmetric RST / AI Core
Finish: 2000 grit Abralon
Layout:  4 x 4.5 with 1.5 Pin Buffer

Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 5” Over 1/2 up
Rev Rate 300. Tilt 20. Rotation 50.
Speed at release 17


Review:
I have always liked the RST balls by Roto Grip and this new Hyperdrive is a beast. This ball is very strong at box finish. This ball was made for heavy oil. The RST is stronger than my original Gem and while still pretty smooth it seems to save more energy than my Gem and provide better carry. I first used the RST Hyperdrive on an unusually slick house shot and used the Rock Star as a comparison. The RST was much earlier and hooked more boards than the rock star which is a pretty strong ball in itself. This ball will need some oil especially up front to roll at its best. The Hyperdrive is a good looking ball but even looks better with polish. I also feel most bowlers would benefit by polishing this ball unless they bowl on very oily conditions or are very speed dominate. By polishing this ball we see more length and better hit on medium to heavily oiler house shots. This ball will be great at box finish on flatter sport or tournament conditions. Right now I believe this is the strongest dull ball in my bag and covers more boards than my Rock Star. This is a big hooking ball that was needed to replace the original Gem.

Summary:
I believe this is the most aggressive ball in the SPI family.
The Hyperdrive hooks a lot but never seems to roll out.
If you are looking for a heavy oil ball this is a great choice.

Video Link:

Glenn Wendel
Storm Pro Shop Staff

gwendel@comcast.net
www.stormbowling.com