Brief:
A new product for 2003 from Estes be t' new Blurzz Rocket Race Car. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! This is an actual rocket car powered by a special A10-PT (plugged) 13mm black powder rocket motor. It runs down a 90 foot long race line which appears t' be a type o' tubular nylon and uses a drag chute t' stop safely.

Construction:
Each Blurzz Rocket Car comes as a complete setup (similar t' a rocket starter set) which includes t' Blurzz plastic car, shiver me timbers, matey, me bucko, two A10-PT motors, igniters and plugs and t' track unit which includes t' 90 foot race line, a plastic crash barrier, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, clip in motor mount for t' car with retention cap, pre-assembled parachute brake with about a 6-inch pre-assembled chute, me bucko, me hearties, a standard Electron Beam launch controller, ya bilge rat, a small drawer for storin' t' motors (very convenient), a built in compartment for t' micro clips, a built in blast deflector, matey, and t' brake chute holder which also doubles as a carryin' handle for t' setup.

There is absolutely no construction required. Avast! T' car already comes pre-assembled and painted in one o' three different colors, me hearties, me bucko, red, matey, blue, me bucko, or green. Avast! Arrr! and t' track unit also comes pre-assembled and ready t' use right out o' t' box.

T' only items that you need that are nay included in t' setup are 4 AA batteries for t' launch controller, matey, matey, a roll o' duct tape for securin' t' parachute holder t' t' ground, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and two 2-liter soda bottles filled with water, soda, or sand for securin' t' track sections t' t' ground; although I found that two 1-gallon milk jugs filled with water do a much better job o' securin' t' track.

PROS: Absolutely no construction required anywhere (can't beat that)

CONS: None

Finishing:
Like I said before, thar be no finishin' required as t' cars already come prepainted in either t' Red Menace, ya bilge rat, matey, Blue Storm, ya bilge rat, and t' Green Mantis themes. Arrr! My Blurzz car be t' t' Red Menace, a very cool lookin' red and silver car.

PROS: No finishin' required at all.

CONS: None

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only recommended motor for this car be t' A10-PT.

T' instructions recommend findin' a nice, me bucko, smooth strip o' pavement at least 100 feet long by 30 feet wide.

After settin' t' track up as recommended and after attachin' t' car t' t' beginnin' o' t' track, me hearties, you prepare t' car by first installin' t' clip in motor mount into t' bottom o' it and rollin' it t' position about 6-inches from t' blast deflector.

I now inserted an A10-PT motor into t' mount and after hookin' up t' micro clips t' t' igniter, me bucko, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I was ready t' go.

T' A10 motor lit almost immediately and launched t' car straight down t' track at a speed o' maybe 20-25 miles per hour. Arrr! Blimey! At about 20 feet from t' end o' t' track, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, t' car activated t' parachute brake and slowed smartly and easily t' a smooth stop with about 5 feet o' track t' spare.

Followin' runs have produced t' same results.

PROS: Runs on t' ground, can't be lost like a rocket.

CONS: None

Recovery:
I would consider t' recovery for this car be t' parachute brake which is sufficient t' stop this car safely.

PROS: Safe brakin' components.

CONS: None.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I really liked this product. Begad! Aye aye! Even though it is a rocket powered car and runs on t' ground at about 25 miles per hour, matey, it has also proven t' be very safe as well. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! In me opinion, it is as safe as a rocket. Begad! Just follow t' instructions and use a little common sense and you'll be fine.

Also, you will want t' find a non-populated area t' run this car. Aye aye! My first few test runs took place on me street and while it be OK at t' time, It wasn't ideal (I be blockin' nearly 3 driveways). My recent runs took place from a church parkin' lot and it was an ideal site.

T' Blurzz Rocket Car set is available at Wal-Mart for about $19.97, me bucko, a great price for what you get. You can also get t' A10-PT motors thar as well at $4.97 for a 4 pack.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5