Here we are back in the test facility. Today’s subject of scrutiny is the Hot Rod Hybrid by Storm.
The big excitement surrounding this ball is the introduction of Storm’s Reactor Hybrid (half solid, half pearl) reactive coverstock. Coupled with the same multi density core featuring Fe2 technology (think Thunder Road series) as the Hot Rod Pro Stock and Hot Rod Pro Stock Pearl, this ball is designed to provide the bowler with a smooth, predictable roll pattern. A medium rg (2.54) and a medium-low differential (.033) help to create this type of movement.
We received a comp ball with a 3 inch pin and 2.8 oz’s of top weight. We placed the pin 4 inches from the positive axis point and the cg 3 ½ inches from the PAP. An extra hole was required and placed an inch past the PAP and ¾ of an inch below the center line to help create a bit more mid lane read and back end movement.
The first pattern we tested the Hybrid HR on was a fresh house shot, heavy oil 10 to 10 and applied 32 feet, buffed to 40. Once the tester got limbered up, we began playing right around the oil line, crossing the arrows around 11 or 12 and bumping it to the dry at about 25 feet. The Hybrid HR proved to be very smooth as billed. Shots that got to the dry a bit early “checked up” slightly sooner yet very often wound up flush. The somewhat “minimal” dynamics of the core ensure a non-violent direction change when encountering drier areas of the lane. We bowled the equivalent of 5 games on this condition. Flush pocket hits were the norm for the first 20-25 frames or so. Once some oil began to move down the lane, some adjustments were required as the Hybrid HR began to struggle making the corner. A slight move to the right (left for lefthanders) with both feet and target yielded pleasant results. Often not an option on house shots due to the danger of over reaction, the Hybrid HR thrived in the drier part of the lane, picking up a slightly earlier read and arcing smoothly to the pocket.
The second pattern we used for testing was 24 feet long and buffed to 35 feet. Oil application was more uniform across the entire lane with a slight bump between boards 9 and 11. On this pattern, the Hybrid HR proved its mettle. We were able to play an outside line to the pocket crossing the arrows around the 6th or 7th board with virtually no out of bounds (providing a well executed shot was made) This was in stark contrast to some “stronger” balls such as the Ace and Triple XXX-treme, which were just too much for this pattern and were challenged just to hit the pocket on the fresh. Since the pattern was much shorter and flatter than the initial house shot we used, the effect of oil carry down was not nearly as severe for the Hybrid HR. After about 5 games worth of shots, the Hybrid HR was still smacking the pins hard and carrying a majority of strikes. Adjustments were minimal with feet and target and ball reaction was consistent throughout the session.
Overall, Storm has yet another very nice edition to their Hot Rod line. The Hybrid HR definitely flexes its muscle when there is some hook present on the lane and/or the lane surface you are bowling on is beat up a little bit (i.e. wood)
Mybowler.com would like to thank Steve Kloempken and Storm for the comped equipment. Also, thanks to test facility Flamingo Bowl for all of their help.
