Brief:
Rocket powered Race Car that runs along a 90ft race line.

Construction:
On me last trip t' Wal-Mart lookin' for new Estes kits, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I noticed an attractive box on t' self for t' new Estes Blurzz Rocket Powered Racer. T' box had a hologram o' t' racer in action with a button under it, arrr, so I pushed it. T' sound o' race cars filled t' toy section, and t' announcer said:

Quote:

"Race at t' speed o' sound with Estes Rocket Powered Racers!"

"Estes Rocket Powered Racers are super fast, run down 90 feet o' track, ya bilge rat, and stops with a parachute!"

"You can race alone, ya bilge rat, or side by side with friends!"

At first I was a little skeptical. Aye aye! How well does this work? How safe is it? Is it worth t' $20 Wal-Mart wants for it? I decided t' give it a try, matey, for t' sake o' t' rocketry forum and EMRR. Aye aye! What! Only two motors…better grab a couple packs o' A10-PT motors.

When I got home and opened up t' box, I said t' myself, what is this tangled mess? T' motor mount, parachute, arrr, shock absorber was attached t' t' string, shiver me timbers, and both ends o' t' strin' was connected t' a halve o' t' plastic container used as t' case. Avast! Well, blow me down! Also, me bucko, t' launch controller is tied t' t' base o' t' case. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I was concerned that it would be very easy t' get everythin' in a huge tangled mess. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' motors look like A10-0T's with t' top stuffed with clay, and t' two that came with t' set had t' newer gray clay nozzle and plug. Ya scallywag! T' A10-PT motor pack contained four motors, four igniters, and four igniter plugs, matey, but they used t' older white clay, which already started t' disintegrate because t' motors were all coated with white powder..

Enough worrying, matey, me hearties, time t' get this thin' set up. Arrr! Well, blow me down! This be t' first rocket set that I actually had t' read t' instructions, and keep referencin' them t' figure out how this is supposed t' be set up. Arrr! Here is how t' setup works.. Arrr! T' halve o' t' plastic case with t' controller connected t' it is obviously t' startin' point. Ya scallywag! I place that on t' driveway and start unwindin' t' strin' from t' lid o' t' case as I walk toward t' other end. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Once t' strin' ends, me hearties, me hearties, I place t' lid on t' ground and secure it with a rock (instructions say t' used a full soda bottle). Ahoy! Arrr! T' plastic bumper is placed against t' lid, me hearties, just in case t' car makes it this far. Avast! T' handle o' t' carry case is then placed about 15-feet from t' endin' point, and t' small parachute is placed in t' grip o' t' handle. Well, blow me down! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Finally, I went back t' t' startin' point, and pulled on it till t' strin' was nice and taut. Well, blow me down! Begad! I secured t' base with another rock.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight (err, Motion):
Preppin' t' car is a bit tricky, arrr, arrr, but after shootin' t' car off six times, I got this procedure down t' a fine art. Turn t' car upside down and slip t' strin' through t' forward guide. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Give t' strin' some slack, and take t' motor mount, matey, and install an A10-PT motor. Ahoy! I then install t' igniter and t' green igniter plug, bend t' igniter leads in a 90 degree angle toward where t' top o' t' car is. Begad! Then, ya bilge rat, arrr, squeezin' t' two tabs on t' motor mount, me bucko, I mate t' motor with t' car, matey, makin' sure t' tabs snap in place. Then I bend t' igniter back, makin' it easier t' connect t' igniter clips. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! T' fire off t' car, I decided nay t' use t' Estes controller, me hearties, me hearties, optin' for me 12-volt relay system instead. After connectin' t' igniters, shiver me timbers, me bucko, makin' sure that t' igniter leads don't short with each other and t' axle o' t' aft wheel. Once t' car is set up, I pulled on t' base t' make t' strin' taut again. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! My racer is now ready t' race.

My Mom saw me settin' up in t' driveway, matey, and came outside and ask if I bought a new toy? I admitted me shortcomings. Well, blow me down! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! She watched t' first run (See t' video.). Begad! Next thin' I know, she wants t' push t' launch button! So I let her try, me hearties, but t' rocket burned through t' string. Begad! What happened was me fault. I place t' base on t' ground upside down, ya bilge rat, causin' t' strin' t' become closer t' t' flame. Avast, me proud beauty! I fixed t' problem for t' next launch, and I got a good video o' t' racer comin' t' a stop in front o' t' camera.

My mom left t' check on dinner, but I stayed outside t' drive t' car three more times.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Overall, matey, ya bilge rat, I think that t' Estes Blurz Rocket powered racer is a fun package. Care has t' be taken t' make sure t' racetrack is free o' debris, arrr, and t' line remains taut. Blimey! Blimey! Also, inspect t' track line for any damage before firin' off t' next race, Estes provided an 800 number t' get a replacement strin' if it becomes damaged. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Do nay think about runnin' t' car without t' line—thrust me on this one.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5