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Ride Guide
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What new products caught your eyes at this winter’s trade shows, and what can
we expect to see appearing in our parks and attractions in the season to come?
Park World brings you this special round-up of rides and attractions to look
out for in the months ahead
AIR RACER BY SKYTRACK/3DBA
Based on the same “Airballs” technology as its Pinball ride, Air Racer The Airballs system works
from Skytrack in the Netherlands tests four riders’ nerves and reflexes in by forcing air through special
a drag race race with hovering cars. The first unit is due to open soon floor units, creating a cushion
as part of a package of high-tech attractions from 3DBA and its of air over which the cars
partners at an FEC in Dubai. effortlessly glide. To ensure a
fare race, a weighing system
under each lane determines
how much air pressure should
be allocated to each rider.
To play the Air Racer game,
riders watch a bank of lights in front of them and control their launch
by pressing a button as the lights flash from orange to green. The more
lights that are lit as they press the button determines how fast they will
move. Time it right and they’ll have a full powered launch, but fire too
late and they’ll never catch the leader. Power and reaction time
determine the winner, and a photo finish settles the outcome. Once the
cars pass the finish line, the air is turned off and riders come to a
gentle stop.
The standard four-lane set-up measures 8 x 25 metres wide and
capacity is estimated at between 140 and 180 an hour based on a
30-40 second race, and 30 seconds loading/unloading.
AQUA LOOP BY WHITEWATER WEST
AQUA TRAM BY HOPKINS RIDES
An update of the same manufacturer’s Nautibus attraction, the Aqua Tram
The industry’s first looping waterslide was provides an underwater dark ride experience for a wide range of entertainment
unveiled this winter by WhiteWater West at venues, from amusement parks to aquaria.
IAAPA. What makes the attraction even more Each capsule seats six to 10 riders and is guided by a rod from above as it
exciting is the accompanying AquaRocket travels and rotates through the water. The capsules are fully submerged at all times
launch system (left), which WhiteWater is also except for a dry top area, where passengers embark and disembark.
offering as an add-on for existing tube Once inside, riders glimpse through portholes to watch a video show simulating
waterslide installations. the underwater environment outside. This is complemented by a “sonar style”
Guests' anticipation begins the moment they monitor image and stereo soundtrack.
climb to the top of the lift tower and watch The original Nautibus opened some years ago at Le Grand Aquarium in St
fellow riders being dispatched into the slide via Malo, France. Featuring a 70-metre track and 12 4-seater capsules, it continues to
the AquaRocket. Riders climb inside the launch entertain thousands of visitors every day.
vessel and stand leaning back at 75 degrees The Aqua Tram is a more compact version of the ride, featuring a fixed 19-
above a trap door. The door then plummets metre circle rather than a full track. Thanks to the increased gondola size,
below as riders are shot out at maximum force however, it still provides a respectable throughput. The concept was officially
launched this winter at IAAPA Attractions Expo.
into a 40ft vertical freefall drop
and then into the looping slide.
WhiteWater West has
secured the licence for this
exciting new waterpark
attraction following the
prototype launched last summer
in Croatia. The launch system
has the added benefit that it
overcomes the “moment of
truth” for nervous riders,
potentially speeding up
throughput for the operator.
MARCH 2009
37
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