Nürburgring launched coaster

[thomas2]

^Agreed. For such a fast coaster, it's a shame that they chose a company whose others have been so painful. Hopefully this will be the exception to that rule. And who knows?, this could end great. It's still nice to hear there'll be a new 2nd fastest coaster in the world.

 

2nd fastest? Kingda Ka only goes 206km/u so this one will be the new record holder

[GriffyTiffy]

Why not make it just a few MPH faster? Why make it only 2nd?

 

EDIT: I was wrong.

[Jew]

Wow...another one of these horrible rides is being built? There is a reason only two(excluding Powder Keg) S&S launched coasters have been built, and this ride probably will be as bad as the two already out. Now, if something can be done about the roughness and the painful airtime, then this might be good. While the gp will love this ride, it just won't be as good as a launched coaster of this size could be. However, I'd still ride if given the chance as that launch should be amazing.

 

Have you been on both? Dodonpa's launch and airtime hill are pretty much the most ridiculous things ever.

 

Shame on the place for getting something that "the gp will love."

[Force 310]

To make it less of a pain to read for English speakers (and also paraphrasing quite a bit), here's a version that's more readable even though it sounds stilted:

 

New world premiere coaster at the Nürburgring

 

Imagine accelerating from 0 to 217 km/h (134.84 mph) in only 2.5 seconds -- faster acceleration than a Formula 1 car. You can experience this amazing launch, the fastest in the world, starting in 2009 at the Nürburgring.

 

Acceleration more powerful than on any race car: "Racecoaster" offers a more authentic version of this experience than any other. The strained feeling before the start, the rising adrenaline, the driver being pushed back into his seat as the traffic light turns to green and the race begins. This is what the race car driver must experience at the beginning of each event - and so can the visitors to the Nürburgring experience on this spectacular coaster that catapults them to 217 km/h (nearly 135 mph). In comparison, a Formula 1 car accelerates to this speed in about 5 seconds, twice as much time as is needed on "Racecoaster." This will be the quickest acceleration and greatest speed of any coaster ever built, launched or otherwise.

 

Direct along the starting line and home stretches of the Nürburgring race track, this coaster is a unique, unbelievable, yet real experience. Nowhere in the world exists a coaster built directly next to a race track, nor one that travels at such speeds. After the passengers enter through a railway station in the new indoor attraction, Racecoaster's launch runs parallel parallel to the Grand Prix stretch on the race track, with its starting point aligned to the starting line of the track. Here, the vehicle accelerates to its top speed of 217 km/h, travels 480 meters (1574.8 ft) along the race track then sharply curves to the left. The coaster's route leads back through the Boulevard and ends again in the railway station. Each of the coaster's two four-car vehicles is capable of transporting eight passengers. Altogether, the coaster travels 1.2 kilometers (3937.01 feet) in its adrenaline-packed course.

 

The coaster will be manufactured by leading coaster builder S&S Power. "S&S Power is one of the most experienced companies in the field of compressed-air launched coasters, with extensive experience in its field," explains Dr. Walter Kafitz, principal director of the Nürburgring GmbH. "The components of the coaster are designed to meet the German TÜV-standard, the German industry standard (DIN), and the European standard (E)." The compressed-air launching system allows for the highest speeds and acceleration, is highly reliable, and consumes little energy.

 

And the rest of it is about the other developments going on at the race track.

 

So... 138 mph, according to the press release. In 2.5 seconds. Using a bit of guess-and-check with the NL calculator, that's about 2.5 acceleration g's, which is within tolerances, but still...

 

Then again, besides the launch, I haven't heard many good things about S&S launched coasters (excluding Powder Keg). The uninspired layout (as I understand, one of the elements is 1575 feet of straight track?) is also unappealing. The launch should be suitably wacky, but otherwise, it just looks like something built blatantly to break a record or two then move on.

[Scaparri]

If you look at the train rendering in the article, it's pretty obvious that this isn't going to be like Dodonpa and Hypersonic, but more like Powder Keg. Just take a look at the wheel assemblies. Assuming the rendering is accurate, I definitely can't see this coaster using air tires with that design, so it likely won't be nearly as bad as Dodonpa and Hypersonic apparently are. I imagine they'll probably be using a more traditional track style.

 

And for the record, 217 km/h translates into approximately 135 mph.

[BuddyChrist]

it just looks like something built blatantly to break a record or two then move on.

 

Let's see:

 

Kingda Ka

Top Thrill Dragster

Superman: The Escape

 

The last 3 record holders for speed have some of the most bland and uninspiring layouts in the world, yet the fact that they are so fast and so tall makes the GP go bananas so the claim of Fastest roller coaster is bound to attract more and more tourists. It's always just an easy way to break a record nowadays.

[Scaparri]

Plus, I really don't think the Nurburgring cares about having the fastest coaster in the world. Notice that they don't even really acknowledge taking the crown for the world's fastest coaster? Nurburgring is one of the most legendary race tracks in the world. They are trying to create a unique experience for race fans more so than they are trying to attract roller coaster thrill seekers.

 

They probably are using this as leverage to keep the German Grand Prix (F1 race). For the past several years, Germany has been fortunate enough to hold two F1 races; one at Nurburgring and one at Hockenheim. In 2006, F1 announced that they weren't going to do that anymore, so until 2010, Nurburgring and Hockenheim will alternate hosting the race. It's unsure who will host after that contract expires. 2009 is the last year in this contract that Nurburgring is scheduled to host the GP. Coincidence? I think not.

 

So while the coaster isn't something that will be exclusive to the weekend of the GP, it is still a unique and thrill experience for the race fans that is comparable to racing an F1 car, and it gives Nurburgring an advantage over Hockenheim.

[FeelTheFORCE]

You know Cedar Point is sitting back, licking their chops. They'll reclaim both number one spots soon enough.

 

On topic, great points about them using it for the sport of F1 Racing, and not for having the title. Hopefully this will turn out to be a really nice coaster!

[Airtime&Gravity]

Wow...another one of these horrible rides is being built? There is a reason only two(excluding Powder Keg) S&S launched coasters have been built, and this ride probably will be as bad as the two already out. Now, if something can be done about the roughness and the painful airtime, then this might be good. While the gp will love this ride, it just won't be as good as a launched coaster of this size could be. However, I'd still ride if given the chance as that launch should be amazing.

 

Have you been on both? Dodonpa's launch and airtime hill are pretty much the most ridiculous things ever.

 

Shame on the place for getting something that "the gp will love."

 

No, I haven't been on any S&S Thrust Air, but from what other site members have said, Thrust Air sounds like a coaster with problems. The airtime and launch on these things are supposed to be great, but the airtime is supposed to be very painful.

[downunder]

I'd ride it for sure, that acceleration will be just ridiculous even though it is not the most inspiring coaster layout ever.

[project?]

Here is a pic of the trains

 

[Shockwave]

I am pretty excited about the possibility of having this ride just a few hours away, but that said, I'll enjoy going round the Nordschleife more!

[viking86]

How can people honestly belive that this coaster will be similar to Hypersonic and Dodonpa, two coasters built back in 2001??? And if you look at the trains, they seem to be running on regular coaster track.

[Jew]

^Because the similarities are obvious...Unless you can name another two launched S&S coasters that go that fast.

[BeemerBoy]

I'd rather take a ride on the ring.

 

Uhh...YA. Give me a Ferrari Enzo, and an hour of the 'ring and I'll have WAY more of a good time than on a coaster.

Fixed.

 

But yeah, I'm sure I'd enjoy this coaster too. Slap a prancing horse logo on the nose, let Michael Schumacher be the ride op, and you've got the perfect record breaker, regardless of what the layout might be.

[ginzo]

Oh boy. Another one trick coaster that is sure to be plagued with problems.

[Peis]

Belive me, this coaster will be diffrent from Hypersonic.

They are using a new Track system and the cars will have normal coaster wheels.

 

The Layout will be not very interesting:

 

Acceleration- Brake- 180° Turn and Back to the Station.

It don´t seem that there will be a airtime hill or something like that.

The special feauture is, that the launch will be near the Start- and Finishline.

 

I think it´s a great gimmick for people who are interestet in motorsports.

 

I´m looking forward to that ride because it´s only 30 minutes from my home.

 

Greetings from germany,

Matthias

[SharkTums]

I'm basically picturing a coaster version of the Dragster Ride at Old Town.

 

Totally straight level track, big fast acceleration into breaks. The only difference is this one will then turn around and come slowly back to the station, very similar to Dodonpa's ending.

 

This ride will almost certainly pose the 'credit or not' question when it opens!

[Peis]

Yes Elissa, thats what it supposed to be.

But it will be not that slow after braking.

After the launch the Train will brake to 100 kmph ( 62 mph) fast enough to come back to the station

[BeemerBoy]

I think what may have made this seem more interesting would be a layout similar to Tibidabidobida's new ride after the long straightaway which is sure to follow the launch.

An F1-inspired coaster doesn't need airtime, but a course which simulates some of the tight turns and elevation changes of an F1 road course.

 

I think it´s a great gimmick for people who are interestet in motorsports.

I agree. With only a handful of notable "record breaker one-trick ponies" in the world, why do they constantly get bashed for simply filling a niche? That continues to intrigue me. But to each his own, I guess.

[hansrubens]

It will be an amazing experience....

 

but with no drop it can't be count as a coaster.

[DBru]

I believe I read somewhere that the launch will be elevated at a VERY slight incline. Thus, a coaster...

[nathanhillinbl]

I think what may have made this seem more interesting would be a layout similar to Tibidabidobida's new ride after the long straightaway which is sure to follow the launch.

 

It took me like 20 seconds to actually say Tibidabidobida, lol.

 

 

As my coaster count is tiny, i've never ridden a coaster by s&s, but I'd imagine that after the rough reviews that the other 2 coasters just like this got, they'd improve their design a little before installing another one.

[DBru]

Well, to give a somewhat better idea of the layout, I have recreated it on NoLimits. Look accurate?

Racecoaster.nltrack

Told you so.....

Racecoaster-080129192156000.bmp

AHHHH!!!!!!!

Racecoaster-080129191730000.bmp

Don't get on me, your making a huge mistake!

[ginzo]

With only a handful of notable "record breaker one-trick ponies" in the world, why do they constantly get bashed for simply filling a niche? That continues to intrigue me. But to each his own, I guess.

 

For me it's just a gross waste of capital. Both Cedar Point and Great Adventure could have built 2 far better and more reliable coasters for what they paid for TTD and Ka respectively. Sure record breakers bring in a nice surge of guests. However, in time you won't have the record anymore, but that huge maintenance headache that goes with bleeding edge designs will remain. And in like 10 years or so it's just sad and pathetic (aka Superman: The Escape).