Ball Review:
Tank: 50 X 4 ¾ X 50

MOTIV’s current goal is to release bowling balls that will be able to provide bowlers with an arsenal of equipment to combat all conditions.

Description: The Tank uses the same Gear Core found in both Venom’s, while introducing the new Ballistix Solid Urethane Coverstock.

Reaction: The Tank has allowed me to start the ball in the track area so far in league and although that isn’t ideal for a league scoring pace I can see that on lighter or shorter conditions it will allow me to play that part of the lane when needed. The Tank wants to start up very soon and has very little backend which is optimal for control.

Comparisons: The Tank is just a touch cleaner in the front part of the lane compared to my Solid Ascent, where the Tank really differs is in the backend. Once the Tank starts its trajectory that is pretty much the line it will hold from the foul line to pins, there is very little backend motion nor should there be for a Urethane ball. Comparing it to the Venom Toxin since they both have the same core, the hybrid polished cover on the Venom Toxin allows the ball to be cleaner than the Tank but, once it starts to hook it shows just how much stronger it is compared to the Tank.

Summary: Those looking for that old school urethane look MOTIV has released the Tank just for you! The Tank will give you more options to confront shorter or lighter oil patterns. It is also a great option for those with very high rev rates when looking for something that hooks more reliable than your spare ball!

Mike Magolan, MOTIV Staff Member and Turbo Staff Member

Manufacturer’s Intent: When we designed the 912T, we created a ball that simply out hooked and out-performed every ball ever made in the history of Track. Our next initiative in our high performance category was to design a ball that would excel on the widest variety of lane conditions possible. Our R&D team accomplished this by creating our brand new Gen X C/T Hybrid cover and wrapping it around our Legion 2 Turbo core.

Core: The Legion 2 Turbo core is back again. This core creates easy revs while storing plenty of energy for the back end of the lane and most importantly the pins. Whether wrapped with a solid, pearl or hybrid cover, the Legion 2 Turbo core provides the perfect entry angle through the pins.

Cover: The 811C/T features our brand new Gen X C/T Hybrid cover. The Gen X C/T Hybrid takes hybrid technology one step further by combining the perfect blend of our Gen XT (Xtra Traction) and Gen XC (Xtra Continuation) covers. Both of these covers use their own unique additives which provide two distinctly different types of ball motion. By combining these additives, we have created a cover that is truly special.

Finish: The final step that completes the ball development process is the finish. Having the right finish allows for the perfect combination of core and cover to shine for a wide variety of bowling styles. For the 811C/T, we went with 800/1000/2000/4000 Abralon. This finish allows the 811C/T to perform on the widest variety of patterns and will excel on medium-oily patterns.

Overall: The 811C/T will quickly become the ball of choice for bowlers of all styles looking for versatility and consistency. This will be attributed to the combination of our proven Legion 2 Turbo core with our soon to be proven Gen X C/T Hybrid cover. The 811C/T, continuous traction as its best!

Ball Review by Laneside Reviews:
Track 811 C/T

Drilled: 50 X 5 1/4 X 40
Surface: Out of the Box (800, 1000, 2000, 4000 Abralon)

LANE CONDITION
Kegel Main Street

Length: 41 feet
Volume:19.3ml
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):

COMMENTS
Likes: Multiple surfaces and lane conditions, medium to high rev rates, Great carry and strong but smooth change of direction
Dislikes: Ultra Dry Lanes

Ball Review:Venom Toxin – Layout 65 X 4 ½ X 65

MOTIV’s current goal is to release bowling balls that will be able to provide bowlers with an arsenal of equipment to combat all conditions.

Description: The Venom Toxin is the second Venom placed in the lower mid-price range. The coverstock on the Venom Toxin is a modified version of the Atomix coverstock called Hybrid Radial Reactive. For the core, MOTIV again used Gear Core from the recent Venom Strike and retired GT1.

Reaction: The Venom Toxin is very clean through the front part of the lane and provides a sharper controlled downlane motion, notice I didn’t describe it as angular. The Venom Toxin is a great ball when you find yourself playing straighter angles, but some of your more predictable pieces don’t recover enough. For me the Venom Toxin provides a shape between your smoother predictable pieces and your pieces that have a lot of backend. I tend not to get in too deep as I don’t have the rev rate, but at the same time I don’t like get too straight, both of the Venom’s typically let me play in the zone where I am most comfortable.

Comparisons: For me, the Venom Toxin comes out when the Venom Strike is either too early or too smooth downlane. It also plays well when my Thrash Frenzy moves me too far left, the Venom Toxin doesn’t have as much backend potential. Although the Venom Toxin is just as clean as the Thrash Frenzy, the Venom Toxin’s attempt to recover is much more subtle.

Summary: I think that both Venoms make for a really good 1-2 combination and at a very low price point! The Venom Toxin gives you more backend than usual for a ball with predictability and control.

Mike Magolan, MOTIV Staff Member and Turbo Staff Member

Ball Review by MOTIV/Turbo Staff Member – Mike Magolan

Description: The Thrash Frenzy is the second Thrash produced by MOTIV, again being added to the mid-performance range. You will find the motion of the Thrash Frenzy exactly the opposite from the original even rolling Thrash. The Thrash Frenzy uses the same Quadfire core as the previous Thrash, but with a pearlized version of the Whiplash coverstock.

Reaction: The addition of Thrash Frenzy has filled MOTIV’s slot for a late hooking, medium oil ball. With the release of the 2 Cruel and Primal Scream, MOTIV has added some balls that really change direction down the lane and the Thrash Frenzy is no different! I’ve heard people say, “I don’t like balls that skid-flip”. I agree, skid-flip to me means it goes forever and has an uncontrollable backend motion, who would want a ball that does that. The core is very predictable and the pearlized coverstock on the Thrash Frenzy proves to easily get down the lane and once it starts to hook you will see the reliability of that strong down lane hook! I am very up the back of the ball and still have no problem seeing a strong down lane motion.

Comparisons: The Thrash Frenzy is a great ball for transition. When my Primal Scream is too strong I am able to switch to the Thrash Frenzy and get the ball much deeper on the pattern. I am not suggesting moving further in but the ball will allow me to play in a similar spot when throwing the Primal Scream, yet it gets down the lane further and still has plenty of recovery. I also say it’s a great transition ball because it also has been good when my Venom Strike is hooking too soon. I can pull out the Thrash Frenzy move in further with my feet and the ball is long enough and strong enough to fit in there as well.

Summary: The Thrash Frenzy is one of those balls I can always transition to and will be in my bag on almost all occasions. The only time the ball may not be beneficial is on extreme wet patterns.

Born when nearly all existing differential was ripped from the Arson core, leaving a lean, low RG/low differential, the Low Flare is perfect for conditions so dry the pins beg for mercy.

Ball Review: Hammer Arson Low Flare

Drilled 65 x 5 1/4 x 30
Surface: out of the Box (500 Grit)

LANE CONDITION – Kegel Main Street

Length: 41 feet

Volume: 19.3ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS / Kegel THS

Likes:dry lanes, humidity, patchy conditions

Dislikes: anything more then medium oil

We all have to Persevere through trials in life. This ball is dedicated to a famous bowler Tommy Jones, and all bowlers who persevere through life. This ball persevere’s through the oil continuing to the pocket with a strong back-end. You will want to use this ball on medium oil lanes or with oil patters that are a little broken down. Also, since this ball is a Reactive Hybrid it will read the lanes a little more than a normal Hybrid and hook slightly more in the back-end.

“This ball, combined with the recent release of the Ebonite Challenge, is going to fill gaps in my arsenal and help me in tournaments all over the world. The Persevere especially can go either way – I can shine it up when the lanes hook a lot, or put a 1000 grit finish on it when they are tight. I love that versatility. It reminds me of the Game Breaker a little bit because of how much I can use it. I’m definitely looking forward to the upcoming season with my new pieces.” – Tommy Jones

Watch Brian Halstrom and Christina Hardee demonstrate the versatility of the new Track 706A bowling ball!

Review by Brian Halstrom:
I found this ball to work great for me on medium oiled lane conditions. It clears the heads with ease and is by far one of the most angular bowling balls I have in my bag.

Manufacturer’s Intent: The concept for creating the 706A was simple. We wanted a core/cover combination that would provide the aggressive move at the breakpoint the “A” series is known for, with improved continuation through the pins. Our R&D team accomplished by creating both a brand new core and cover.
Core: The 706A is the first Track ball to feature the brand new Helmet core. This new core design revs up extremely well from the mid-lane to the breakpoint, unleashing the right amount of energy when it encounters friction. The lower intermediate differential compared to previous 700 series ball aids in accomplishing the improved continuation through the pins.
Cover: The cover is what touches the lane, so it is important to use the right cover when targeting the perfect ball motion. The best core design in the world doesn’t do any good unless you have the right cover to take advantage of the core’s strengths. For the 706A, our R&D team developed our new Gen XA (Xtra Angle) cover.
Finish: The finish process is the final factor that determines our overall ball motion. For the 706A, we started with 800 Abranet then followed it up with 1000 and 2000 Abralon. Once the sanding is done, we apply our Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish which is the exact same polish we use on our finish line.
Overall: The 706A is sure to be the choice for Track fans when they are looking for a ball that offers easy length with “Pop” at the breakpoint. The combination of our Helmet core and Gen XA cover will match up best with medium oil patterns. When “Xtra” entry angle is a must, mow’ em down with the Track 706A.

Get ready to show your Meanstreak! Introducing the new high performance Brunswick Meanstreak bowling ball.

COVERSTOCK

The Addaptive ƒ(P2) Pearl coverstock is Brunswick’s latest advancement in performance enhancing additive chemistry. ƒ(P2) describes our latest ƒormula which multiplies our (P)rojection additive with an aggressive reactive coverstock base creating a Super Clean cover that skids easily down the lane creating maximum versatility. This new formulation produces the cleanest front end, while maintaining traction on the backend to create the most versatile coverstock to date for Brunswick.

CORE

The new Meanstreak High RG symmetrical core features a long and lean design to provide maximum energy retention. Adding a mass around the equator stabilizes the dynamics to enhance the versatility of the core.

BALL MOTION

With its High Gloss finish, the Meanstreak is super clean through the front, retaining axis rotation for the backend with a strong continuous breakpoint. This combination of coverstock and core creates an extremely versatile motion and a great “Go To” ball on lower volume & broken down lane conditions.

REACTION SETUP

The Meanstreak can be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for symmetric bowling balls.

What’s your Aura look like? Introducing the new high performance Brunswick Aura, available November 14, 2012.

OPTIMUM-FLIP SOLID COVERSTOCK

The Optimum-Flip Solid coverstock is Brunswick’s newest innovation in performance enhancing additive chemistry. Optimum-Flip is a new coverstock that preserves more axis rotation, more rev rate and more ball speed for the backend to generate the highest Angular Velocity potential of any Brunswick coverstock to date. The new Optimum-Flip Solid coverstock incorporates a new base reactive along with our additive technology to create an outstanding Skid Flip ball motion for the Brunswick product line.
CORE

The Aura Ultra Low RG core features a single density rounded-off elliptical inner core. The core is dynamically designed to extend the rotational energy, boosting angular velocity to transfer energy to the pins for increased pin action and higher scores.

BALL MOTION

The Aura begins a new age of ball motion for Brunswick never seen before. Outstanding length, super quick response to friction with the most continuation on the backend of any previous Brunswick ball. The Aura with its Rough Buff finish, maintains the highest amount of Angular Velocity at the breakpoint when compared to other previous balls on medium to heavy oil lane conditions.

REACTION SETUP

The Aura can be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for asymmetric bowling balls.

LIGHTWEIGHT ENGINEERING

At Brunswick, the unique core shape of each individual ball is used for weights from 14 to 16 pounds. This approach to lightweight ball engineering provides bowlers with consistent ball reaction characteristics across this weight range. At 12 and 13 pounds, Brunswick uses a generic core shape with a RG-differential that is close enough to the 14 to 16 pound shape so the same drilling instructions can be used.

What do you think of the new Brunswick Aura bowling ball? Will you be adding this piece to your arsenal? Please leave your comments below!

Watch Marcus Lowery demonstrate the Storm Fire Road bowling ball from the left side of the lane!

great length and drive

Ball Description

Looking at the core, we’ll power the Fire Road™ with the proven Inverted Fe3 Technology weight block first introduced in the Victory Road™. This particular shape is extremely driller and bowler friendly; you would be hard pressed to find anyone who does not like the look and the hook of this shape! The advancements made in Fe³ allowed us to utilize a larger mass to increase the dynamics, upping the differential approximately 15%.

But ball reaction is the product of both core and coverstock. And while the Victory Roads and Crossroad™ all utilize the proven R2S™ coverstock, we’re stepping it up a notch and encasing the weight block with an R2X™ blend that has previously been reserved for the biggest hitters like the Virtual Gravity™. With a smoothly polished 1500-grit finish and pearl blend, the new Fire Road is sure to fire up the pins and the pocket.