- Spare +

First Impressions
Released in May 2017, the Track Spare + (Purple/Blue/Black) is far more than a conventional spare ball and falls into the special "performance polyester" category. Unlike standard plastic balls, which usually carry nothing more than a simple pancake core, the Spare + hides the asymmetric i-Core beneath its hard polyester shell. At 15 pounds, this high-powered core delivers a 2.53 RG, a 0.050 differential and a 0.013 intermediate differential. Numbers this extreme for a plastic ball mean the ball has genuine flare potential. The coverstock is classic, hard polyester, prepped at the factory with an 800/1000/2000 Abralon sanding and then brought to a high shine with Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. Visually, the mix of purple, blue and black gives it a modern look that clearly sets it apart from the often garish entry-level balls.
Comparison Compared directly with a conventional in-house spare ball like the Track T-Zone, the core dynamics are worlds apart. Where the T-Zone runs rigidly on one track and rotates only minimally, the Spare + generates visible dynamics of its own and real track flare thanks to the i-Core. Technically, the ball motion is very close to the Hammer Black Widow Spare, which likewise combines a high-performance core (Gas Mask Core) with a plastic shell. Compared with urethane balls like the Storm Pitch Black, the Track Spare + reacts even later and cleaner, since the polyester surface forms no chemical bond with the oil. Where the Pitch Black might already grab too early on extremely dry lanes, the Spare + offers even more length, but unlike normal plastic balls it develops enough friction at the breakpoint through core rotation ("flare") to mix the pins effectively.
On the Lanes The Track Spare + is a hybrid tool for tournament players. Its primary job is precise single-pin conversions (such as the 10 pin for right-handers), which comes off effortlessly with a flat release since the polyester shell ignores the oil pattern. Its "secret weapon" quality, however, shows up on extremely burned or short sport patterns (e.g. the Wolf pattern or worn-out house shots). When even weak reactive balls react too aggressively, the Spare + can be put into play as a strike ball. The asymmetric core makes sure fresh surface is always contacting the lane (flare), which creates just enough friction in a dry backend to generate an acceptable entry angle and carry in the pocket — something that would be impossible with a normal "pancake" plastic ball.