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, I noticed an attractive box on t' self for t' new Estes Blurzz Rocket Powered Racer. Blimey! T' box had a hologram o' t' racer in action with a button under it, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, so I pushed it. T' sound o' race cars filled t' toy section, arrr, and t' announcer said:

Quote:

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

"Estes Rocket Powered Racers are super fast, matey, run down 90 feet o' track, me bucko, me hearties, and stops with a parachute!"

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

At first I was a little skeptical. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, for t' sake o' t' rocketry forum and EMRR. Blimey! Avast! What! Only two motors…better grab a couple packs o' A10-PT motors.

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

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

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

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

My Mom saw me settin' up in t' driveway, shiver me timbers, and came outside and ask if I bought a new toy? I admitted me shortcomings. She watched t' first run (See t' video.). Well, blow me down! Next thin' I know, arrr, she wants t' push t' launch button! So I let her try, shiver me timbers, but t' rocket burned through t' string. Blimey! Blimey! What happened was me fault. I place t' base on t' ground upside down, causin' t' strin' t' become closer t' t' flame. Begad! I fixed t' problem for t' next launch, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, 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, arrr, but I stayed outside t' drive t' car three more times.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Overall, 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, me bucko, and t' line remains taut. Ahoy! 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. Do nay think about runnin' t' car without t' line—thrust me on this one.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5