Ricochet, Steel roller coaster at Carowinds, Charlotte, US
Ricochet is a steel Wild Mouse coaster at Carowinds in Charlotte that guides riders through a series of sharp turns and quick direction changes. The ride features a chain lift system and multiple switchback sections that create sudden movements throughout the experience.
The coaster was built and opened in 2002 by Mack Rides GmbH when Carowinds was expanding its family-friendly ride collection. This arrival reflected growing interest in more compact attractions that required less space than massive roller coasters.
The ride represents a style of coaster that came back into favor at American parks during the 1990s, when operators looked for family-friendly alternatives to massive steel structures. Visitors experience tight turns and sudden movements without inversions, which creates a different kind of thrill.
Each car seats four riders in two rows, and the ride moves people through continuously via its chain lift system. Visiting during early morning or late afternoon hours typically means shorter waits compared to midday.
The coaster was engineered by Mack Rides, a German manufacturer with over 100 years of experience building amusement rides. Visitors often do not realize how European engineering expertise appears in this seemingly simple but carefully crafted design.
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