Ultra Twister, Steel roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, United States
Ultra Twister was a steel roller coaster with a vertical lift that led to three consecutive rotating moves through enclosed steel rings, reaching speeds of about 44 miles per hour (70 kilometers per hour). The ride had seven cars with a total capacity of forty-two passengers.
The ride was built in 1986 at Six Flags Great Adventure and stayed there until 1988 before moving to Six Flags AstroWorld. It operated there until the park closed permanently in 2005.
The ride was engineered by the Japanese company Togo and introduced North American visitors to a rotating motion style they had never experienced before. This type of movement was novel for American amusement parks and attracted many curious riders.
The ride required a minimum height of about 48 inches (120 centimeters) and was relatively short with three main elements that followed quickly. Visitors should prepare for intense movements, as the rotating elements were quite forceful.
The ride struggled with recurring steel fractures in the rings, showing how difficult it was to manage this new movement style. Additionally, a special single-passenger elevator had to be installed to enable emergency procedures.
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