SECRETS OF THE SHOOTING STAR
April 30th, 2007

Bob Eastman's twin 800cc engine Polaris Shooting Star was the last in line of Polaris factory built drag racing machines. In the day, it was more than capable of creating new world records for speed, but freekish incidents like a timing light being mounted too high to record the sleds time prevented any official records for this amazing machine.

Since that time, owner Bob Eastman had been storing the sled in the engineering department at Polaris. During some ATV development, the boys in the plant were trying to make an ATV go faster. Bob recommended some motor parts off the Shooting Star. Several cylinders and pistons were taken, but none were returned. So prior to the Polaris 50th anniversary, Bob began to ponder restoring the mighty sled. He did find many of the replacement engine parts. But in 2007, the Polaris dealership in Cavalier North Dakota (Bob's hometown) called and asked Bob to be there for a special event. Bob responded by getting the Shooting Star back together and bringing it there, and to the 2007 Badger show.

I got to see it first hand in April of 2007 and I can tell you there is some really amazing things about this sled. Here's what I learned.

1. The chassis is made out of magnesium, making it very light.
2. The bulkhead is completely custom for to fit both motors in, and drop the front one low enough for the hood.
3. The hood is a standard 73 Starfire hood. It was just modified by Eastman.
4. One motor runs forward, the other runs backwards. Each drives one side of the jackshaft.
5. The pipes are aluminum, except one that was replaced at the last moment in 1973.
6. The rear motor's mount is magnesium.
7. The fuel tank is under the seat in the back.
8. It has a 121" track, with what looks like a Colt suspension with added bogie wheels.
9. The skis and the leaf springs are aluminum.
10. The fins were cut off to make room for the steering.
11. There is no belly pan. It's just very thin aluminum cut to look like a belly pan.
12. The front motor is suspended on the recoil side, and there is a small motor mount plate on the other side.

Neat huh?