Wicked Twister

Infobox roller coaster
name =Wicked Twister


caption =Wicked Twister
location =Cedar Point
type =Steel
type2=Inverted
type3=Launched
status =Open
opened =May 5, 2002
manufacturer =Intamin AG
designer =
model =Twisted Impulse Coaster
track =
lift =LIM Launch track
height =215
drop =206
length = 2700
speed =72
inversions =0
duration =40 seconds
angle =90
capacity =1000
cost =$9,000,000 USD
acceleration =
gforce =
restriction=52
rcdb_number=1571

"Wicked Twister" is a steel roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

This 215-foot-tall ride consists of one train operating on a double-ended track. Both ends of the towers (track) are designed with 450-degree vertical twists to provide an exciting ride experience. This is the main difference between "Wicked Twister" and its similar siblings: "V2: Vertical Velocity" at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, "Steel Venom" at Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota, and "Voodoo" at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. Between the towers a horizontal track section incorporates the load and unload area as well as the linear induction motor propulsion system (LIM section).

The train consists of 8 cars carrying 4 passengers each, 2 persons side by side for a total of 32 persons.

"Wicked Twister"'s feature theme song is "The Winner" by the Crystal Method.

The ride

At the beginning of the ride, the linear induction motors propel the train forward out of the station during its first launch at 50 mph, which carries the vehicle approximately halfway up the front tower. After stalling out and reversing, the train enters the LIM section again, where the train is accelerated during its second launch to 63 mph in the backward direction so that the train climbs almost all the way up the rear tower. The train then stalls and drops forward before re-entering the LIM section where additional thrust is added as the train gains to 69 mph during its third launch, causing the train to rocket further up the front tower than the previous time. Stalling and reversing, the train plummets and re-enters the LIM section where the LIM launch the train for the fourth time, making the train reach a maximum speed of 72 mph to travel a maximum 206 feet up the rear tower. With the one more final pass forward through the LIM section, the train goes up the front helix once more before the train reverses. As it travels back toward the station, brakes are applied and finally stop within the station platform. Unlike some rides like this kind, the floor does not drop out underneath the train when the ride starts and back up when it stops. Riders must jump a bit to reach their seats when loading. It holds the World records for being the tallest and fastest inverted coaster. A unique part about this ride is that it has two helix's rather than just one and the opposite end having a straight tower with a brake section.

afety Systems

"Wicked Twister" has many additional safety systems installed because it passes the station multiple times, and high speeds. The first of these systems is a "light curtain", named for the nature in which it operates. Two emitters and two receivers are place on each side of the ride station. Each emitter sends a thick, invisible beam of light towards the receiver on the other side. If at any time this beam is broken during ride operation, it will automatically emergency stop. Another safety system is installed under the station, attached to the automatic platform gates. If an individual places too much downward vertical force, or shakes the gates, the ride emergency stops. Yet another safety system installed are located on all other gates on the ride, including entrance and exit. The gates are electromagnetically sealed while the ride is in progress, to ensure guests do not enter.

External links

* [http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/coasters/wicked_twister/index.cfm Cedar Point's "Wicked Twister" page]