Ronald Bussink

Roue de Paris, a Bussink R60 transportable wheel, pictured at Geleen in the Netherlands in 2005

Wheel of Sheffield, a Bussink R60

Belfast Wheel, a Bussink R60

Wheel of Brisbane, a Bussink R60

Eye on Malaysia, a Bussink R60

Ronald Bussink has been a leading designer of giant Ferris wheels and similar structures for over 25 years.^[1] Bussink entered the amusement industry market in 1985^[2] and designed, manufactured, and delivered more than 60 giant Ferris wheels between 1990 and 2005,^[3] including a wheel operated by World Carnival, who claimed it to be the world's tallest transportable wheel. Its height has been reported as both 66 metres (217 ft)^[4][5] and 60 metres (197 ft).^[6]

The Bussink company was previously known as Nauta Bussink prior to moving its offices from the Netherlands to Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland.^[7][8] It was then known as Ronald Bussink Professional Rides, a registered trademark of Ronald Bussink Aktiengesellschaft,^[3] which was subsequently renamed Professional Rides Aktiengesellschaft.^[9]

In 2008, following the sale of Bussink's Wheels of Excellence range to Vekoma, Bussink created a new company, Bussink Landmarks, to concentrate on the supply of Ferris wheels of 100 metres (328 ft) and greater in height.^[10]

Wheels of Excellence

The Wheels of Excellence range included the following models:

R40

Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 15 or 30 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

R50

Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 18 or 36 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

R60

Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 21 or 42 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

Bussink R60 wheels have operated in Australia (Brisbane), Canada (Niagara Falls), France (Paris), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur & Malacca), UK (Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield), USA (Myrtle Beach), and elsewhere.

One of the most famous and well-travelled Bussink R60 wheels is the 60-metre (197 ft)^[11][12] tall Roue de Paris, originally installed on the Place de la Concorde in Paris for the 2000 millennium celebrations. Roue de Paris left France in 2002 and in 2003-2004 operated in Birmingham and Manchester, England. In 2005 it visited first Geleen then Amsterdam, Netherlands, before returning to England to operate at Gateshead. In 2006 it was erected at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok, Thailand, and by 2008 had made its way to Antwerp, Belgium.^[13] Roue de Paris uses 40,000 litres (8,800 imperial gallons) of water ballast to provide a stable base. It weighs 365 tonnes (402 short tons), and can be erected in 72 hours and dismantled in 60 hours by a specialist team. Transport requires seven 20-foot container lorries, ten open trailer lorries, and one closed trailer lorry. Its 42 passenger cars be loaded either 3 or 6 at a time, and each car can carry 8 people.^[11]

R80

Fixed wheel with either 6 or 8 support legs, and optional self-rotating capsules. 56 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

In 2008, the Wheels of Excellence range of giant wheels was acquired by Vekoma Rides Manufacturing. Vekoma created a new division, Dutch Wheels BV, to market giant wheels as stand alone attractions.^[10] As of 2012, Wheels of Excellence variants listed by Dutch Wheels BV were the R40, R50, and R60 models.^[14]

Following the sale of the Wheels of Excellence range, Bussink created a new company, Bussink Landmarks, to concentrate on the supply of Ferris wheels of 100 metres (328 ft) and greater in height.^[10]

Evolution

See also

• Gold Reef City
• Top of the World (amusement ride)
• List of Ferris wheels

References

External links

• bussink.com - Official website