The Suspended Looping Coaster (or SLC) is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma.
The SLC is similar in design to other inverted roller coasters, however unlike the four-across seating found on Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverted roller coasters, Vekoma SLC's use two-across seating. The minimum rider height requirement is 52 inches (132 cm) or more.
The first SLC installation was El Condor at Walibi World in The Netherlands. It was initially designed to run with ten cars in each train. Trouble with this configuration lead to the trains being shortened to eight cars to a train. [1]
T2 at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was the second prototype model SLC and the first in the United States. Like El Condor, it was designed to run with ten cars in a train, though T2's trains were shortened to seven cars for similar reasons.
Most other SLC rides are based on this design. The standard model includes a roll-over, a side-winder, and a double-spin. The other major element on an SLC is a hill that banks at the top. Variations include changing the arrangement of the inversions, and some models include an extra helix. The standard model also has a relatively compact layout, providing for "foot choppers". Vekoma also provides "custom" SLC installations, such as Jubilee Odyssey (Fantasy Island), the largest SLC in existence and Kumali (Flamingo Land) both in the United Kingdom. Many SLC's operate with two trains consisting of ten cars, though some operate with eight cars, and at least one operates with seven cars.
Poorly maintained, poor track layout or most likely non-exact track manufacturing can cause SLCs riders to experience painful "head banging", whereby the head hits the Over the Shoulder Restraints. They also use very small plastic seats with little or no room for a person to move. Contrary to popular belief[citation needed], the wheel spacing on the trains (the 'gaps' between the side friction wheels, up-stop wheels, and the track) adds little to the roughness of these rides[citation needed].
Shenzhou Coaster
Shenzhou Coaster is an inverted roller coaster at Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park in Beijing, China. The train and track are similar to the train and track design by Vekoma, but the ride was instead designed by Beijing Shibaolai Amusement Equipment. The track layout is unique.
Vekoma is currently manufacturing new trains with convenient hip harnesses. Unlike the first generation of trains, this modification will make the overall ride experience more comfortable.
Examples of Suspended Looping Coasters
- Batman - The Ride at Six Flags Mexico
- The Great Nor'Easter at Morey's Piers
- Hangman at Wild Adventures
- Infusion at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- Kong at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
- Lethal Weapon - The Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World
- Limit at Heide Park, Germany
- T2 at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
- The Mind Eraser at Darien Lake, Six Flags America, Elitch Gardens, and Six Flags New England
- Thunderhawk at Michigan's Adventure
- Blue Tornado at Gardaland, Italy
- Titánide at Terra Mitica, Spain
- El Jaguar at Isla Mágica, Spain
- Flight Deck (Canada's Wonderland) at Canada's Wonderland, Canada
- Serial Thriller at The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom(moving to La Ronde for May 2010, new name unknown)
- Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island
- Kumba at Superland, Rishon Le'Zion, Israel
External links
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