Ball NPS Score: 100.00

- Color: Ruby Red Pearl/Purple Pearl All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Coverstock: R2X Pearl Reactive
- Weight Block: Inverted Fe³ Technology
- Factory Finish: 1500-grit Polished
- Flare Potential: 5” - 6” (Medium-High)
- Fragrance: Mango
- RG: 16#-2.53, 15#-2.56, 14#-2.60, 13#-2.59, 12#-2.65
- RG Diff: 16#-.055, 15#-.052, 14#-.050, 13#-.045, 12#-.035
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium Oil
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- Description: If you were to look across the entire bowling industry for the past 15 years, you would be hard pressed to find a line of bowling balls as popular as the Road series from Storm. Dating back to 1997 with the introduction of the original Thunder Road, this series has produced some of the most popular bowling balls of all time. One commentator on the PBA Tour put it bluntly: “If it says the word “road” in it, you drill it!” The reason that statement came out of his mouth was due to his experience on the PBA Tour and understanding the uniform demands of bowlers looking for a good ball reaction. The intent of the new Fire Road is to continue the traditions of predictability and reliability set forth with the original Road series, utilizing a more aggressive shell material to handle more oil without compromising the backend!
Looking at the core, we’ll power the Fire Road with the proven Inverted Fe3 Technology weight block first introduced in the Victory Road. This particular shape is extremely driller and bowler friendly; you would be hard pressed to find anyone who does not like the look and the hook of this shape! The advancements made in Fe³ allowed us to utilize a larger mass to increase the dynamics, upping the differential approximately 15%. But ball reaction is the product of both core and coverstock. And while the Victory Roads and Crossroad all utilize the proven R2S coverstock, we’re stepping it up a notch and encasing the weight block with an R2X blend that has previously been reserved for the biggest hitters like the Virtual Gravity. With a smoothly polished 1500-grit finish and pearl blend, the new Fire Road is sure to fire up the pins and the pocket. Are you getting fired up yet? We are!

Lane Conditions: Medium Oil
Typical Conditions: Variety of Shots
Type of Lane: All Synthetic
Weight of bowling ball: 15
Surface of bowling ball: Factory/Box
What grit was the surface of the ball? 1500
Likes: Smooth (for a pearl) reaction shape
Dislikes:

My layout: 70 x 4 7/8 x 30
My PAP: 5/78" over 1/8" up

The Fire Road joins the Crossroad, Victory Road, Victory Road Solid and HyRoad as the latest release in the Thunder line from Storm.

The major differences between the Fire Road and Victory Road is the Fire Road uses a modified FE3 weight block which ups the differential approximately 15%. The cover is also stronger, using the R2X as opposed to the R2S cover. The R2X had previously been reserved for the balls in the Premier line.

I expected to see a reaction similar to the Victory Road but what I saw was a reaction that was slightly smoother when hitting friction than the Victory Road while still producing ample hitting power.

When comparing this ball directly to my Crossroad I was able to play the exact same line with the Fire Road picking up slightly later and still clearing the deck.

The bottom line is if you're looking to add or replace a pearl ball in your bag that will handle medium oil to lighter oil conditions the Fire Road should be your choice.

For more information on the Fire Road, visit:
http://www.stormbowling.com/products/balls/fireroad

Layout: 65* 4 1/2" 25*
Surface: 1500 polish(OOB)

I was very excited for this release, as I was intially expecting a reaction in the back part of the lane like I've seen with the reign.  However, I couldn't have been more wrong...

The R2X Pearl coverstock really blended out the overall motion of the fire road and gave me a very smooth, very predictable motion that I've never seen before out of a high rg symmetrical pearl.  On a medium-heavy 42' house shot I had a relatively tight line for me (22-12-8.  As the pattern broke down and moved 10 boards left, the ball reacted harder off the friction but didn't get too angular to the point of leaving 9 pins or it jumping through the face.

Compared to the Crossroad, I was 3 and 2 right. When the Crossroad just can't push anymore downlane, the Fire Road can do so with the strength to recover in the back.  Compared to the Marvel Pearl, I stood at the same spot on the lane and made the visual adjustment right as the Marvel Pearl is much earlier midlane than both the Crossroad and the Fire Road. 

The R2X/Fe3 combo is full of potential and should be able to find its way into anyone's bag.

The Fire Road is the latest release in the Thunder line of bowling balls from Storm. The Fire Road uses the same core that was used in the Victory solid and pearl, as well as the Crossroad. The inverted FE3 core is one of my favorite cores of all time. It has more flare potential than the inverted FE2 that was in the T-Roads and Hy-Road. At 2.56 rg and .052 diff in 15lbs, the Fire Road has plenty of muscle built in. Add to that the R2X pearl cover, and you have a new bowling ball that has its own unique characteristics on the lane. It’s easy to think this ball is just a replacement for the Victory Road pearl, but the shape the ball makes is completely different as well as covering more boards. I will get into that a little bit later. Basically, the Fire Road has the Victory Road core, with the Marvel Pearl cover.

I drilled the Fire Road with the pin over my ring finger and cg on my grip line. I use this drilling on almost every pearl symmetrical bowling ball I drill. This drilling allows me to utilize different releases to make the ball do different things when needed. An extra balance hole is not needed, therefore less material is being removed from the ball, and the true design intent shines through. The Fire Road is a more hook set motion than the Victory pearl. The shape of the Fire Road reminds me of the Reign. Both the Reign and the Fire road have very similar shapes on the lane, but the Fire Road will cover more boards.

Of all the balls that are in the current lineup, the Fire Road probably resembles the Crossroad the most. They cover about the same amount of boards, but do it in a different manner. The Crossroad picks up earlier and has more of a strong arch to the pocket. The Fire Road has that hook set roll shape while traveling further down the lane before changing direction. I will use one or the other from about the same place on the lane, but choose between the two based on the path I need the ball to take while traveling down the lane, and what shape I need from the ball to go through the pins. If I want roll through the pins, I go with the Fire Road. If I want a continuous arch through the pins, I will use the Crossroad.

I have been able to use the Fire Road on a variety of patterns. I have had surprisingly good success with the Fire Road going up the boards while using a weak release. The hook set motion gives me a wide pocket with very good pin carry. High hits will trip the 6 pin, and light hits will send messengers across the deck. So far, the Fire Road has been an excellent addition to my arsenal.

Even though the Fire Road has given me a great deal of success going up the boards with a weak release, I have also had success with the Fire Road from deeper on the lane, with a stronger release. Being a left hander, sometimes the Victory Road pearl didn’t roll early enough and was too angular. Now, the Fire Road has that shape to handle more volumes of oil, and get into that “roll”.

The ruby red/purple colors of the Fire road are sure to catch many bowlers eye when seeing it on the shelf of their local pro shop. So far from what I have seen from the Fire Road, is a pearl ball that will allow the bowlers to go up the boards a little better, and a strong enough cover to allow “spin” releases to get the ball to slow down and roll. Hopefully the fire Road is just the first step forward in the Thunder line of bowling balls to use the R2X cover and maybe a solid and a hybrid may someday follow.  Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the Fire Road. Remember, always bowl up a Storm!!

Fire Road   55 x 4 x 75

The FIRE ROAD uses a modified version of the symmetrical Inverted Fe3 weight block first used in the VICTORY ROAD, with the modification upping the differential about 15 percent.
The FIRE ROAD uses a pearl R2X coverstock.
 I drilled it with a 4 inch pin as I wanted to have some flare to help smooth out the overall reaction. The Fire Road is clean through the fronts with good midlane roll with a strong move
Off of the spot.  Not a skid/flip reaction that you would see with the Victory Road Pearl.
This reaction creates great carry, as the ball has more of a rolling motion into the pins vs a skid/flip entry angle.
This ball is great on your typical house shot as it kinda of blends out the early wet/dry condition.
On sport and PBA conditions the Fire Road does need a little friction up front to keep from going a little too long. But on the shorter patterns it works very well, good control as which you need on those lane patterns.
The Fire Road is a ball that is stronger overall than the Victory Road Pearl but weaker than Marvel Pearl.



PAP 4 up 1 1/4

Storm Fire Road Review
Layout:
3-1/2” x 5” with 3” pin buffer from VAL, Pin distance from CG 3-3/8”
PAP:
4-1/2” -> ½” ^
Conditions:
A. Center A- 38’ house pattern*, All 5 PBA Animal patterns (Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark and Viper) , Kegel Kustodian Walker, AMF HPL lane surface

Surfaces preps:
1. Factory finish
2. 1000 Abralon
3. 3000 Abralon
4. 2000 Abralon w/ Reacta-Shine polish

For reference I throw high track, 15.75 mph, 350+ rpms, using Turbo Lifts and a Switch Grip thumb insert and I am right handed.
Center ‘A’ results:

1. With factory finish;
Nice look on lanes once patterns broke down some.  On the fresh it was very solid down and in (5 board out, standing 19).  This showed great promise on the lighter volume PBA Patterns, slightly over aggressive on backends is you got a little too slow.  Scorpion and this ball were made for each other!

2. Adjusting to 1000 Abralon;
When I adjusted to this surface it definitely helped the ball read sooner without taking away the aggressive backend reaction. I could move in deeper, anywhere from 20 to 25 and play 17 area on all 5 of the PBA patterns.  On the house shot it did seem to be a little over/under until the shot broke down more towards the middle of the second game.

3. Adjusting to 3000 Abralon;
This look was nice on Cheetah and Scorpion. It allowed me to open the lane up some more, but still seemed very speed sensitive.  On the house pattern it let me stay right longer than my Crossroads would, with enough energy intact to kick out the corners.  It was possible to throw it through the break point though if you got a little excited with your speed.  You slow rolling tweeners and strokers will love the way you can wheel this ball and have faith on it to make the corner in this finish.  Speed dominate guys, beware!

4. Adjusting to 2000 w/ Reacta-Shine Polish;
If I told you this was my go to ball as the night grows long would you believe me?  I have already racked up one 300 in the third game of a league set with it, and from the other strings I have had; I can safely say there will be a few more this season.  Never had a chance to try this on any of the PBA patterns, but I would have to say it should perform very well on those too.  This surface prep choice makes it a must in my bag every league night.  The backend reaction is continuous, strong and seldom do the corners hang out for coffee after the first shot.
Overview;
Great ball, I can’t imagine not having it!  I loved my Crossroads, and I can guarantee that if you liked your Crossroads half as much as I liked mine you will fall in love with the Fire Road.  Don’t be afraid to fine tune the cover, so many combinations to give you the ball shape your game needs.

Thanks for reading.  As always find our video portion of the review here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ87OQLJ0Rc&feature=bf_prev&list=UUUdapKcbpNzp3PGwdo7P6GQ

Storm Fire Road is a fantastic piece if you are looking for a long skid ball with strong angular backend.  Drilled mine with my favorite layout 65 x 4 3/4 x 65 and it is exactly what I was looking for.  This ball pushes down the lane with ease holding on to energy as long as possible before making a strong angular yet continuous move toward the pocket.  I am comparing it to a Victory Road Solid to give a bit more comparison than normal.  The Fire Road allow me to play further right with my feet or a tighter closer line to the pocket while still providing an angular enough backend to kick out the corner pins.  I have used this ball on longer patterns adding a little bit of surface to make it more controllable on the back part of the lane but that does not take away how easy it is to get down the lane.  Use your favorite layout and prepare for an extreme backend reaction.

Fireroad

This is by far my favorite ball, everything from the smell to the crazy hook it gives me is amazing. I was expecting this ball to be my go to ball when the lanes started to break down however that quickly changed and this is the ball I start out with. This ball reacts very well to my bowling style and gives me a great angular curve that I had a hard time getting out of other balls. This ball is extremely easy to control and has a crazy amount of back-end. I highly recommend this ball.

Dillon Engel