Gary Rosenfield is seen here with the custom-painted 3" Wildman rocket flown in the Shred The Wildman Challenge.

VAN ORIN, Illinois USA — Tim Lehr issued a challenge to motor manufacturers called the Shred The Wildman contest at this year's LDRS in Argonia, Kansas.  The contest was designed to give those manufacturers a chance to shred the Wildman, a dual-deployment rocket kit sold by Wildman Rocketry.

The contest was designed to allow the participating manufacturers to strut their stuff, to show off their most potent motors in a friendly competition, while at the same time show off the strength of the Wildman rocket kit and Wildman's new ProLine epoxy product.

The kit to be used was an off-the-shelf Wildman kit, built by the standard instructions, and the challenge allowed any 54mm motor that would fit within the regular kit's motor mount.  The Wildman kit comes with a lifetime guarantee, something no other manufacturer offers.  Lehr says he hasn't had to replace one yet in three years since he's been offering the warranty.

The challenge?  If any motor manufacturer could shred the rocket with their motor, Wildman Tim Lehr would donate $200 to the non-profit charity of the manufacturer's choice.  All of the surviving rockets were to be auctioned off with proceeds going to charity.

The only manufacturer who stepped up and participated in the challenge was AeroTech, who put an L-2300 in the custom painted 3” Wildman shown here. The flight went to 11,000 feet and recovered flawlessly. After the flight the rocket was auctioned off by Bob Brown, prefect of the Kloudbusters, for $600. The money from the auction is being donated to Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Shelter in remembrance of Denise Rosenfield.

You can still join in the fun.  To celebrate winning the challenge, Wildman's is offering this amazing kit for only $199.00 the month of September.

Website: http://www.wildmanrocketry.com/

09-05-2008 12:16 AM  #1
madsen Certified Level Two   Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 31	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success One entry is a success? The article does not even tell us if it shredded--I guess you could have a flawless recovery of a shred--it would just take longer.

09-05-2008 12:31 AM  #2
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success So other manufacturers were supposed to fly their "signature motors" in a rocket painted in Aerotech flag colors? Ummm, nope. Just Jerry

09-05-2008 12:54 AM  #3
MarkM New Member   Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success IIRC, the intent for the contest was each manufacturer who stepped up would fly the motor in a different rocket each with an individually distinct custom paint scheme. Since only Aerotech took up the challenge, the picture only has that rocket. If anyone else wanted to take part in the challenge they would have a rocket painted in custom colors of their choosing.

09-05-2008 06:06 AM  #4
DAllen Certified Level Two   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 51	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: One entry is a success? The article does not even tell us if it shredded--I guess you could have a flawless recovery of a shred--it would just take longer. It would have been nice to have had more entries in this contest no doubt. But I think between the money in this contest and all the money made from the Wildman raffle I'd say the women's shelter would call it a success. -DAllen

09-05-2008 07:08 AM  #5
H_rocket Village Idiot   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 598	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success There was an amazing amount of rancor over this and in particular the name of the contest. At least two of the more recognized propellant vendors seemed to feel that a contest in which the perceived goal was to deliberately destroy a rocket by overpowering it was in less than good taste. As such they chose not to participate. Considering the charitable results, that was, in retrospect, unfortunate.

09-05-2008 08:53 AM  #6
Loopy NAR Level 1   Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 142	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: So other manufacturers were supposed to fly their "signature motors" in a rocket painted in Aerotech flag colors? Ummm, nope. Just Jerry Why would they paint the rocket they built for this contest with Aerotech flag colors?

09-05-2008 09:17 AM  #7
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success I went to Tim's website and could not find this rocket for $199. I did find a single deployment version for $184.28 and a dual deployment version for $285.33 (ouch! that's a pricey change from single deployment!). Maybe someone more motivated can find out more about this deal...

09-05-2008 09:37 AM  #8
WILDMANRS Certified Level One   Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 12	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success There where 2 mfg's that told me they would play. AT & contrail but contrail wasn't at LDRS I built 2 rockets one in AT colors and one in Contrail colors if any other manufacturer had want to join I would have built one in there colors also . I called it a success because the Aerotech flight did not shred the rocket, nobody was hurt and we raised $600 for charity. The one on sale is the dual deploy version The website will be updated as soon as the webmaster returns from vacation.

09-05-2008 10:45 AM  #9
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: IIRC, the intent for the contest was each manufacturer who stepped up would fly the motor in a different rocket each with an individually distinct custom paint scheme. Since only Aerotech took up the challenge, the picture only has that rocket. If anyone else wanted to take part in the challenge they would have a rocket painted in custom colors of their choosing. That sounds quite fair. I guess I wish I was still a TRA approved manufacturer so I could participate in that. That kind of contest is right up my alley. I guess I can do that same flight at one of my own launches. Hey Wildman! Just Jerry

09-05-2008 11:24 AM  #10
deandome Certified Level One   Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success I just never got the concept of anyone thinking a simple, 'clean', 4" ALL-FIBERGLASS rocket...built by the designer/vendor with quality adhesives...could EVER be shredded by ANY 54mm motor devised by man (or 75mm, for that matter). Good cause...good publicity for a great guy/vendor...but IMO, it was an impossible proposition from the start.

09-05-2008 12:09 PM  #11
Sono_6 Certified Level Three   Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 404	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success If Tim had rockets painted in all the respective motor manufacturers colors he should have sponsored one of his signature drag races. (the ensuing shred would have been just collateral damage) Now THAT would've been a thing to see!

09-05-2008 01:03 PM  #12
WILDMANRS Certified Level One   Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 12	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success it's not a 4" rocket its a 3" rocket just a little different

09-05-2008 02:27 PM  #13
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: The one on sale is the dual deploy version The website will be updated as soon as the webmaster returns from vacation. Does anyone know how this compares with the Performance Rocketry Competitor 3? What's included in the dual deploy version of the Wildman rocket? If anyone knows the details please compare and contrast them for me if you will. From what I can see online: The Competitor 3 seems similar. It's cheaper, but seems to lack an ebay, Kevlar shock cord, detailed instructions and the lifetime warranty.

09-05-2008 05:26 PM  #14
StuBarrett Certified Level Eleven   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 137	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Amazing, all of these comments and not one about Bob Brown's donation in memory of Denise. That was a very class act Bob, too bad no one noticed. Stu

09-05-2008 05:34 PM  #15
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: Amazing, all of these comments and not one about Bob Brown's donation in memory of Denise. That was a very class act Bob, too bad no one noticed. Stu Stu - most of us were not there and have no idea what you are talking about. Please expand on this.

09-05-2008 05:42 PM  #16
Sono_6 Certified Level Three   Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 404	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success The auction $ were donated to charity by Bob, the Prefect of Kloudbusters. Cite the article above... Quote: After the flight the rocket was auctioned off by Bob Brown, prefect of the Kloudbusters, for $600. The money from the auction is being donated to Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Shelter in remembrance of Denise Rosenfield.

09-05-2008 05:58 PM  #17
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: Amazing, all of these comments and not one about Bob Brown's donation in memory of Denise. That was a very class act Bob, too bad no one noticed. Stu I thought people were leaving her out of the contentious mix out of respect. The article said it all. I for one was just glad to see Gary holding a rocket in light of his early and often quote, "Rockets are a necessary evil." Just Jerry

09-05-2008 10:20 PM  #18
BBROWN New Member   Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: The auction $ were donated to charity by Bob, the Prefect of Kloudbusters. Cite the article above... Guys, I was the auctioneer!! All I did was talk! The highest bidder was a fellow Kloudbuster and the Vice President of Kloudbusters, Dennis Blackburn! Dennis is the man who, through this auction, donated $600 to the charity. Thank you Dennis, you're the best! I guess I see this contest a little different than some. I've heard all the talk about how the naming of the event was bad and that Tripoli shouldn't allow it and how some motor manufacturers didn't want to get involved. I think those folks missed the point. Look at it this way, Tim Lehr, the Wildman, thinks he's designed a kit that can't be shredded! He was willing put the cash where his mouth was (a BIG challenge for my friend Tim) in that he donated the kit and said he would pay $200 to charity IF one of the manufacturers broke it. Gary Rosenfield from Aerotech took up the challenge. All Gary had to loose was a reload so he graciously donated a L-2300 to this event. The flight was both spectacular and successful! In the end, the rocket was auctioned off for charities. Neither Gary or Tim were reimbursed for their expenses. We have all seen vendors donate to various raffles and other things but when was the last time you witnessed a couple of vendors donate goods for a charity. I, personally, can't say I've ever seen that a rocket launch. Both of these guys went into this knowing that they were going to be out money and they did it willingly. After witnessing this, I know where I'm spending my rocket dollars. I hope you join me. Bob Brown Kloudbusters

09-05-2008 11:14 PM  #19
StuBarrett Certified Level Eleven   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 137	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Thank you Bob, thank you Dennis, thank you Tim, thank you Gary! Stu

09-06-2008 01:41 PM  #20
SpartaChris Certified Certifiable   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 135	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Quote: I guess I see this contest a little different than some. I've heard all the talk about how the naming of the event was bad and that Tripoli shouldn't allow it and how some motor manufacturers didn't want to get involved. I think those folks missed the point. Look at it this way, Tim Lehr, the Wildman, thinks he's designed a kit that can't be shredded! He was willing put the cash where his mouth was (a BIG challenge for my friend Tim) in that he donated the kit and said he would pay $200 to charity IF one of the manufacturers broke it. That was the way I saw it. It's a bummer that so many people opted to take it negatively instead of for what it was- a challenge. Maybe next time folks won't be so anal about things.

09-06-2008 07:45 PM  #21
rockethunter99 New Member   Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Article: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Tim ... who won the Scott Ulrey Raffle at LDRS ???

09-07-2008 02:33 PM  #22
rlutz53 New Member   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1	Re: LDRS Shred The Wildman Challenge proves a success Wildman's web site has been updated to reflect this special price. Check it out!