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| Tom Kuhn Pocket Rocket - John Force - NHRA (mini) |
| Exhibit #4385 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Modified |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Finish | Polished |
| Color | Aluminum polished |
| Packaging | None |
| Construction | Multi-piece aluminum |
| Response | Turbo Disk |
| Diameter | 37.84mm |
| Width | 22.47mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Weight | 49mm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 2000 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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A limited edition release of the Tom Kuhn Pocket Rocket yo-yo from 2000, with special engraving on side B featuring the National Hot Rod Association logo and the reproduced signature of drag racing champion John Force.
Production number for this yo-yo edition is unknown but it is likely very small. I estimate 50 or less, despite there being four digit spaces in the engraved serial number. These NHRA engraved Pocket Rocket yo-yos are challenging to find.
It's not clear how this particular yo-yo was sold. I don't ever recall it being sold by any online retailer. Also, the yo-yo was not pictured anywhere in the BC/What's Next 2000 product catalog or the accompanying 2000 price list. While BC/What's Next manufactured this yo-yo for the Tom Kuhn brand with NHRA licensing, they also manufactured their own line of wooden Hip Pocket Classic yo-yos that featured 15 different champion NHRA drivers who were active in the sport in 2000 (see page 9 in the downloadable PDF of the catalog). They also made a wooden tournament yo-yo that featured the NHRA logo.
About the Pocket Rocket from whatsnextmfg.com, February 21, 2001:
"Was it part of an evil cloning experiment gone awry? Are these the 'donut holes' of the superstar Silver Bullet line of yo-yos? Not quite, but they're made from high-grade aluminum alloys and precision machined to be top-notch performers- not just novelty items. Our newest sensation comes from the brilliant mind of Dr. Tom Kuhn, the undisputed innovator of modern yo-yos. At just an inch and a half in diameter, the Pocket Rocket is the sleekest yo-yo you can get your hands on. These highly esthetic and well weighted mini yo-yos will entice the beginner to improve, while challenging the advanced players to test their limits.
What sets the Pocket Rocket apart from any other miniature yo-yos is its high performance, precision ball bearing axle- the same bearing that is used in Tom Kuhn’s top of the line Silver Bullet yo-yos. The bearing provides ultra long spin times, far in excess of any other yo-yo of its size. Tricks from the simple to the most complex can now be achieved with this miniature yo-yo.
It’s performance is improved even further by the addition of Dr. Yo’s Turbo Discs, which are fibrous textured (linen) self-adhesive stick-ons, affixed to the inner walls of the yo-yo. This Control Disc Technology allows for a single looped string and wider string gaps, yet provides very predictable returns. The Silver Bullet series can now do tricks that other yo-yos can not perform, such as 'Shooting the Rapids', where the string gap must be loaded up with as many as 7, 9 or even 11 strands of string without snagging. Each Pocket Rocket, available in five colors, comes packaged with a flight manual and extra Turbo Discs."
Description from the BC/What's Next 2000 product catalog:
"National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Extreme Motorsports Yo-Yos and Paddle Balls
The World of Motorsports is the fastest growing audience in sports entertainment today. The fastest and most exciting segment of motorsports is side-by-side drag racing. NHRA races deliver the sights, sounds and spectacle of 330 mph! What's Next, under its BC brand, introduces a line of exciting skill toys that have the look and feel of NHRA, including specific products for individual championship drivers."
At one point, in late 1999 or early 2000, the BC/Tom Kuhn YoYo Extreme Team were one of the main sponsors of drag racer Randy Blackwell and his 1988 Pontiac Fiero Super Gas drag racing car.
Recipe
Diameter: 37.84mm
Width: 22.47mm
Weight: 49.0mm
Bearing: Size I
Material: 6061 aluminum
Response: Tom Kuhn Turbo Discs
Original retail price: $25 US.
Of interest...
To see all mini yo-yos in this museum, in the left panel, select Exhibits.
In the right pane, in the Name/Model field, type mini, then select Browse. | |
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