Oreos Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Hey, I'm not sure if you guys are aware but it turns out Zierer doesn't just make kiddy rides. This is a Zierer Tower Launch coaster model located in Utah, USA. These things look like they could be really fun, like a launched eurofighter. That's not why I posted this thread though. Are there any more of these in the world? Has anyone ridden one? If so, how was it? If this is the only one, are there any that are planned to be built anywhere? It's been a while since I last went to the states and I don't think I'll be going back any time soon to ride this, sadly. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSum1_55 Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 ^A quick search on RCDB says that Wicked is the only Zierer Tower Launch coaster in existance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davisal771 Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 It's funny, I was just talking about coasters with my friend (non-enthusiast) and she mentioned this coaster, but I didn't believe it existed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalMAN123 Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Wicked (the ride pictured) is really fun in my book. I think it would be awesome if other parks picked up on them, although the restraints are a bit uncomfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Of Spades Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I absolutely love Wicked! It's like the hipster version of all the launched Eurofighters...cool before they were cool. Seriously though, it's a pretty great ride, and the launch up the tower is awesome! I'd love to see more of these out there. PS: 1,000 Posts! Wewt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Zierer is also building the High-Energy - an inversion high-ride. Looks like they're expanding their field of business into thrillrides. For me this coaster looks like a Eurofighter-variant - wich doesn't mean it has to be bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDcoasterMAN Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Why buy a Zierer tower coaster when you can buy a Guerstlaur Eurofighter for a similar price and a better track record of reliability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarmor Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Because track records of reliability have to start some where. A lot of these small coaster designers are starting to get more work now because, in my opinion, what they are offering could be cheaper than what the big names are offering and parks are willing to give them a chance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oreos Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 ^A quick search on RCDB says that Wicked is the only Zierer Tower Launch coaster in existance. So none are even planned, huh? Aww. Wasn't Wicked designed by the same chap that designed Magnum-XL-200? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Well I think the "older" engineers of todays german-swiss coaster business in companies like Zierer, Gerstelauer, Maurer-Söhne, Intamin and B&M mostly know each other - from their time at Schwarzkopf KG... If you add Vekoma and Zamperla steel-coaster business is easily in european hands. And of course Werner Stengel Engineering is designing the tracks of - by gut-feeling - 99% of coasters. Entering the thrill-ride business is a tough move for Zierer - but as the other companies proove could turn out a good revenue. On the other hand ten years ago no one barely knew Gestelauer. But Zierer built together with BHS the Olympia Looping (german carnival) and the Jetline (Gröna-Lund) after Schwarzkopf KG went bancrupt. So I think they know what they're doing.... Also the other german companies arose from that bancruptcy: Maurer-Söhne purchased the coaster-production from BHS - Gerstelauer was founded in Gerstelau (Schwarzkopf KG's hometown) by egnineers finding themselves without a company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Farmer Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 ^A quick search on RCDB says that Wicked is the only Zierer Tower Launch coaster in existance. So none are even planned, huh? Aww. Wasn't Wicked designed by the same chap that designed Magnum-XL-200? Ron Toomer designed Magnum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowboard83 Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 Why buy a Zierer tower coaster when you can buy a Guerstlaur Eurofighter for a similar price and a better track record of reliability. Trust me...from what I saw when I was at Lagoon in May, Wicked was one of the most reliable rides in the park. Didnt see the ride go down once. A feat for any launch coaster. Whenever I go to Dollywood, Mystery Mine goes down every time. *Edit: Oh yeah, Wicked rocked too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorkscrewFoley Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 I knew the Intamin, Gerstlauer, Mauer Sohne, and Zeier connection with Schwarzkopf, but I didn't know B&M...or is the connection due to Werner Stengel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 Simon, the ride you are referring to is called a "Star Shape".There are two I know of, one that travels the German fairground circuit (High Energy) and a permanent installation at Blackpool called "Bling". Are there any more that you know of? It's the flat ride I want to try out more than anything. It's a like an Evolution and a Top Scan put together. Zierer has been building big rides for some time now, Verbolten at BGE will surely be there biggest hit and put them on the map. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmenace8 Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 There is actually a brand new Star Shape called "Air" traveling the UK now, owned by Danter Attractions. It will be hitting all the major funfairs. Youtube has a few clips now. Apparently these things take awhile to design and build, that one took 3 years. You may be in "some" luck, I keep coming across tidbits suggesting that a permanent version will be coming to Florida in 2013, perhaps to NASA, at least that is what I've read in a few different places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 I knew the Intamin, Gerstlauer, Mauer Sohne, and Zeier connection with Schwarzkopf, but I didn't know B&M...or is the connection due to Werner Stengel? B&M were engineers for Giovanola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oreos Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Weren't Intamin part of Giovanola as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Trust me...from what I saw when I was at Lagoon in May, Wicked was one of the most reliable rides in the park. Didnt see the ride go down once. A feat for any launch coaster. Whenever I go to Dollywood, Mystery Mine goes down every time. *Edit: Oh yeah, Wicked rocked too! Does the MCBR still kill the last third of the ride? I agree that the first two-thirds of the ride kicks butt, but that brake run kept it from being in my top 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Weren't Intamin part of Giovanola as well? Giovanola manufactured track and trains for Intamin. This is why you'll notice early Intamins, IE: Flashback @ SFMM and Batman: The Escape @ SF Astroworld looked like B&Ms we see being built today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowboard83 Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Trust me...from what I saw when I was at Lagoon in May, Wicked was one of the most reliable rides in the park. Didnt see the ride go down once. A feat for any launch coaster. Whenever I go to Dollywood, Mystery Mine goes down every time. *Edit: Oh yeah, Wicked rocked too! Does the MCBR still kill the last third of the ride? I agree that the first two-thirds of the ride kicks butt, but that brake run kept it from being in my top 25. Yeah, unfortunately MCBR still slows the ride to a crawl, but it really seemed to vary by car, likely due to the cars weight and speed of course. A time or two, I saw the brakes barely touch the cars, but that was the excetption, not the rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrewoplis Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I thought Wicked was a great ride! That tower has to be one of the best elements ive ever experienced! Not only does it feel really cool being blasted up the tower, there a lot of airtime on that thing as well. As for the rest of the ride, that's fun too, with some very cool elements. The ride was very smooth, and the trains look pretty cool, and there are booster seats for the smaller riders as well! I would love to see more Tower Launchers out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now