anybody know wats going on with slingshot fuels, i heard octanes are over , anybody know what ,when, , ect ,surely theres gotta be more than the link ????

they are going to be in aus late september
fuels that is
that is the word straight from the importer

The 2007 Slingshot Fuel is due for release at the end of September, so they will be in OZ during early October. This is standard release timing for the Fuel, the Link’s earlier arrival does not mean that the Fuel is behind schedule. However the first shipment will only consist of sizes 9, 11 and 13, normally the 15 and 17 would be hear at the same time with the 7 and 5 a bit later. The volume market and demand is around the mid sizes so it makes sense that they come first.

Designer Tony Logosz and pro-rider Ruben Lenten have really been putting in a huge effort into the ’07 Fuel, looking in many different directions options (as seen by some of the more radical concepts that have ‘filtered’ out). The word on the final spec and direction of the Fuel is……that it will be a somewhat conventional looking ‘C’ but full of new technology and features. However this is a kite that, in a world of ‘100% de-power’, ‘softer power delivery’ and ‘tame user-friendliness’, does…..acknowledge, support and celebrate the more deliberate and powerful forms of riding. This is not going to be a kite for a novice or the faint hearted, the Fuel is a powerhouse kite full of all the high-end performance features that our pro and contest riders like Ruben and Zeb Peters need. As well, it has that ‘wake-boat’ pull that Cam Barker and Balls need in the wake category.

That is not to say that the Fuel won’t have a wider appeal, after all it has out-sold everything in OZ and elsewhere for years and for very good reason. It has all the punch, grind, durability, value and performance that those regular Fuel riders and supporters are looking for and expecting. A lot of riders who are fans of the Fuel don’t want or don’t ‘get’ the soft power delivery or tameness of the ‘bow’ kites and more recently the ‘softer option’ new “C” kites, our Octane was the first of those (now others have followed). The mid market that is quite focused on de-power, range and safety is large and valid (the Link market) but so is that part of the market that is made up of longer term riders and those searching even more performance. BTW the 5-line Link has awesome pro-level performance!!! Pop, boost, trim and de-power.

The Fuel has been the vehicle of enormous innovation over the years and has first displayed many many features that are now ‘industry standard’, the ’07 is no different!!! The all new bar system for the Fuel is awesome and features the Active Stopper Ball from the Turbo Diesel and Link, no more thumb screws.

As for waves, the jury is still out but the way it is looking is that (given the Link has the same type of bomber Fuel construction) many of the dedicated surf riders will use the Link (4 or 5 line)….utilizing the enormous range and 100% de-power. Wilson , Vari and Tobias are on them and stoked. Recently it took me some doing to get our demo Link back from wave supremeo Stuey Martin who was totally stoked with the Link. He will obviously also try the Fuel when it is available, as will others.

A bit long winded but I hope that this helps answer some Fuel '07 questions.

Regards
Andy
Slingshot Australia