rcjp

I believe most rides initially test with all nylon wheels which run faster and much louder than polyurethane wheels. That might be why you've noticed the sound differences. I think once the ride breaks in more, they swap some of the nylons out for poly wheels. Oh, thanks. As to the speed, well, I hope it runs at least as fast as on these videos.

^True. And in this industry you really have to pay attention to every word otherwise you may be tricked (which is perhaps what they intend to do sometimes) like when alpina blitz was announced and they said "70 meters long drop"

That was pretty fast! I thought that funky turn would be taken quite slowly like on many B&M hypers. As to the roar, it surely sounds awesome but I get the impression that on quite a few of their new rides the first test runs sounded pretty loud and then somehow they ended up being quieter. I remember one of the first banshee offride videos sounded incredibly loud as did wild eagle and I still haven't been able to find videos form those rides after opening that made it sound that loud (and they could always change it after the first season or first two, like leviathan). Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I absolutel love the B&M roar and recently some of their new rides gave me "false" expectations.

^Oh, sorry then. I didn't understand you were talking about the shaping of the twist and not the twist itself.

This already is a park I want to visit pretty badly and this ride might be what I need to get my a$$ over to Germany. (as if there wasn't enough already)

I hadn't noticed there was a small straight segment before the dive into the brakes. Looking good.

^Me too. Short pops of strong air are always very fun but I'd also like to see them making a straight, simple and large ejector hill. I'm not sure it's just the angle. There is definitely a twist to it. I'm sure they know what they're doing, though.

Agreed! Probably just there to push it past the 6,000 Ft length because it's too big and meandering to really provide and good positive g's - a good helix should make your cheeks feel like they're gonna touch your thighs (Kumba anyone?)! On the flip - at least it doesn't have MCB (or in the case of many B&M's, "Nearly Over Breaks" lol). They could have made the helix close to the ground: then it could still be long yet forceful. Apart from that, the ride looks great.

^You're right when you say guests won't be comparing it to other dive machines but then most people who go to Thorpe Park won't compare stealth with kingda ka or TTD and it's still a similar story: those rides are about speed and height and given that stealth isn't that tall or fast.

I find that a tad hard to believe., but I could be wrong.

I also get that impression. I like how unsupported the drop looks. However, am I the only one who feels that dive machines (given that they're mostly about the first drop) should have bigger drops (like sheikra and griffon)? I mean, this ride surely looks nice (especially with all the theming) and I'm sure it'll be fun but I get the feeling that if (for whatever reason) you want to go with a "small" coaster maybe there are better options (inverts, megalite-ish rides,...). As dive machines don't have that much more to give apart from the first (and occasionally second) drop those should be "epic". I know there are great small drops around but I keep wondering about this.

I think in term of floaty B&M airtime it's very good. At least it's consistent over the hills unlike some other rides where it's basically just 0 g rather than actual negatives.

Interesting... I stand corrected I guess! I could not for the life of me ever feel any sort of deceleration when riding throughout the year (Media Day, mid-season and fall). None of my friends who rode it could feel anything as well. Your actually the first person I have read on any forums that think the trim was on... Perhaps I just don't pay enough attention to the forums like I used to! Well the fact is it was removed so either it was turned off most of the time or just "a bit on" if that's possible. If they thought it were necessary it would still be there, I guess.

Nice!

So, where are the experts to identify/confirm the manufacturer based on the footers?

That was the feeling I got too. Hopefully this turns out well so that they have more confidence to maybe start trying more "aggressive" elements. Anyway, looks really fun. The only giga I've been on was MF and I feel this will be a better ride. Similar length and height but with apparently better airtime moments and more interesting manoeuvres. Of course we'll have to wait to be sure.

^^I'll have to go with MF as well as TTD. They're both great coasters (TTD is on my no 7) but in the case of MF I had been looking forward to riding it for such a long time that when I did it was definitely fun but not exactly what I expected (but close). With TTD it was because I thought I was going to enjoy it more than KK (as most people do) but I didn't. Sure it was smoother, with lap bars only and with not trim but I just enjoy KK as an experience more as I felt it was a bit more intense which somehow makes up for the rest. Funny how I don't remember any other coasters that didn't quite meet my expectations (in many cases because I didn't have any)

^That's unfortunate. Hope it doesn't affect construction too much.

The final section looks like it was changed to the most. Looks awesome!

I would say it will be the best side for the high-five due to how it goes in and out of that.

That surely looked faster than I thought it would for a first run. Hope it gets even faster!

^That would be even more suitable if the ride turned out to be fairly forceful.

Nice pics! It's always cool to see the trains "naked".

Also, the owners of the Skyscraper have told me to expect a few changes and from what it sounds like, the ride is actually getting bigger from what was original in the concept videos. Well that I wasn't expecting. If it really turn out any bigger I'll be surprised!

The problem with those would be the drag they create. Wildfire is relatively long and in the animation seems to maintain its speed pretty well so I would assume they'd have to use steel wheels.