Hey Dw,

Mine's at the shop...I'll try and bring it home tomorrow.

Rick

Hey DW,

What did you want to know?  Here's some info, let me know if you want more...


---------------------------FreakaZoid----------Hex-plosion-------------Rule

Cover Aggressiveness-------75------------------78-------------------79
Cover Versatility------------76------------------78-------------------79
Core Versatility-------------74------------------76-------------------79
Overall Hook-----------------75------------------75-------------------81
Spin Rate--------------------n/a-----------------n/a-----------------6.04

Edited on 8/18/2004 4:16 PM

Here ya go guys...felt the write up was worth typing for all to see.

Box Forgivability:  The Sheen finish will play outside the top hat on a house pattern for a few frames, after which the ball loses too much energy.  Inside the oil line is no problem from both sides of the lane.  Just stay within your release and the Rule will get back.  Stroker's even had a hook on the big end on the Sport pattern.  The Rule's aggressive cover needs a good amount of head oil to get started, but the reward is a strong hook on heavier/longer patterns and hit that will Rule the competition.   3 1/2 stars

Overall: The Rule hooks as well as many particle cover balls we have tested, without the loss of attack angle or loss of energy seen with some particle cover balls.  Drillings and layouts are easy to apply for any bowler style.  The cover delivers a lot of different looks and changes in the break point with easy-to-do surface changes.  Small changes in the surface result in large differences on the lane.  The Rule offers strong hook(even on oil), a very versatile core and cover, excellent hit and mix and a Track logo.  3 1/2 stars

Bowlers Journal 8/04
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a confirmation of what a few of us have already seen, it's one heck of a ball.

Rick

Okay, since I just received the Bowlers Journal and I won't receive the Bowling This Month untill late next week maybe someone (EX.) can post the ratings that would be helpfull. I'm drilling the Rule tomorrow and I want to have as much info as possible.
thanks,
DW

Hey all got the BTM today here are the ratings for the new toys.

               RG  Diff/Flare  Torque  Length  Backend  Total Hook
Freak-a-zoid   1.7    7.0        6.5     13      16.0     46    
Hex-plosion    5.05   6.9        6.0     14.5    14.0     44
Rule           3.7    6.8        6.5     11      15.5     51

Total Hook skinny on the Freak-a-zoid: All in the midlane and backend. The power plus reactive shell can be sanded or polished to either increase or decrease the Freak-a-zoid's total hook.
Strengths: The core is this ball's biggest strength. By changing the Freak core into a symmetric, Track has evened out the total hook for ultimate control.
Weakness: Drier patterns will cause trouble for those with slower ball speeds.
Overall: It was to find a pattern that one of our testers couldn't find some success on. The Freak-a-zoid will work on any condition with the right drill pattern and surface.

Total Hook skinny on the Hex-plosion: On the low side for a particle ball. The polished shell keeps it from reading the lane sooner and having a higher hook rating.
Strengths: The strength of the Hex-plosion is its particle shell. The cover can be easily tuned for any type of condition. Don't be scared to adjust it because it handles almost anything.
Weakness: Heavy oil is this ball's weakness, but his weakness can be easily overcome. The particle shell can be easily sanded so that it will grip in the oil.
Overall: Those looking for the control of a particle ball on meduim to dry patterns without sacrificing hitting power should look into the Hex-plosion.

Total hook skinny on the Rule: Is a few boards stronger than the Animal Untamed. The biggest difference between these two balls is the strength of the breakpoint and back end.
Strengths: The Goo coverstock is this balls biggest strength. We all know that reactive balls tend to last longer than particle balls and strong reactives last even longer.
Weakness: The Rule is way too strong for shorter and drier conditions in the box condition. Those that want to use this ball for these types of conditions will need to polish it in order for it to get down the lane.
Overall: As long as head oil is present, the Rule will have plenty of energy for the back end of the lane. The backend will get smoother as the volume of head oil decreases.

Hope this helps some guys out. Figured it would give everyone a good idea of the reviews.

Hey DW,

After reading Ex's, Sean's and my descriptions of the ball, just a reminder to ensure that whatever reaction you want out of the ball, simply make sure the layout is fit to that.  What I'm trying to say is that the mb placement again appears to literally control the ball's reaction as we understand.  Sean has 1) left of thumb, good length and backend, 2)past val, the ball rolled very early and even and then mine in the strong pos to get a very strong continuous finish.  

I know we've beaten this to death about mb placements but guess I can't say enough times for those who are maybe new to BR or to those who were non-believers.  The Rule has one of the highest mb differentials to date, so as the mb keeps getting stronger and stronger, the placements become more and more crucial.  Just letting others know...
--------------------
Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Intl. - Amateur/Pro Shop Staff  
Vise Inserts Staff

Edited on 8/20/2004 12:19 PM

I usually let the cover dictate the break point location and the MB placement dictate the shape and recovery distance. That said I will be drilling the Rule for more back-end reaction. I will probably go with 4 1/2 pin by 3 1/2 MB.
Thanks team,
DW

Edited on 8/20/2004 12:46 PM