Hayburners II, released by Williams in 1951, stands as a quintessential piece of Steve Kordek’s mechanical legacy, blending the adrenaline of the racetrack with mid-century electromechanical ingenuity. At its core, the game is a vibrant tribute to horse racing, best remembered for its mesmerizing backbox animation where miniature horses gallop toward a finish line determined by the player’s success on the playfield. The layout is deceptively complex for its era, anchored by four flippers—most notably the inclusion of Kordek’s signature “zipper” flippers at the bottom, which move together to close the gap between them, effectively eliminating the center drain and rewarding precise timing.
The mechanical charm of the machine extends beyond the glass to the oscillating turret shooter, which adds a layer of kinetic unpredictability to the ball’s entry onto the playfield. Navigating the six hanging targets and six rollover buttons requires a steady hand, as players must carefully manage the geometry of the playfield to advance their horses in the backbox race. While the game lacks the complex rule sets of modern digital machines, its tactical depth lies in the mastery of those zipper flippers; holding them shut at the right moment is essential for sustaining long ball times and keeping your horse in the lead.
With only 2,303 units produced, Hayburners II remains a prized specimen for collectors who appreciate the tactile, gear-driven history of the sport. It is a masterclass in early design, proving that even with simple electromechanical components, Kordek could create high-stakes tension. For the modern player, the strategy is straightforward but punishing: prioritize the hanging targets to trigger the backbox animation and keep the ball away from the outlanes by timing the closure of your zipper flippers to catch incoming rebounds. It is a fast-paced, rhythmic experience that captures the chaotic energy of the track in a compact, steel-and-wood package.