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|name=Apollo's Chariot |
|name=Apollo's Chariot |
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|image=ApollosChariotBuschGardensEurope.jpg |
|image=ApollosChariotBuschGardensEurope.jpg |
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|caption= |
|caption=none |
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|location=Busch Gardens Europe |
|location=Busch Gardens Europe |
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|type=Steel |
|type=Steel |
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|speed=73 |
|speed=73 |
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|duration=2:15 |
|duration=2:15 |
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|restriction=52 |
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|angle=65 |
|angle=65 |
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|acceleration= |
|acceleration=no launch |
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|gforce=4.1 |
|gforce=4.1 |
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|rcdb_number=531}} |
|rcdb_number=531}} |
Revision as of 01:04, 18 September 2007
Apollo's Chariot is the first Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster, located at Busch Gardens Europe.
Apollo's Chariot | |
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File:ApollosChariotBuschGardensEurope.jpg none | |
Busch Gardens Europe | |
Location | Busch Gardens Europe |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | March 27, 1999 |
Cost | $20,000,000 USD |
General statistics | |
Type | Steel |
Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
Designer | Werner Stengel |
Model | Hypercoaster |
Track layout | Out and Back |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Inversions | 0 |
Duration | 2:15 |
Max vertical angle | 65° |
Capacity | 1750 riders per hour |
Acceleration | no launch |
G-force | 4.1 |
Apollo's Chariot at RCDB |
Description
Apollo's Chariot is the first roller coaster to incorporate the clamshell harness design, which is a type of tight lap restraint rather than an over the shoulder harness. This allows the rider to experience more freedom and movement of the body. Opened in 1999, it soon became a favorite roller coaster of many enthusiasts and riders. The roller coaster uses an out and back design with a helix. Notably, the first drop is actually longer than height of the lift, the drop being 210 feet, and the height of the roller coaster 170 feet high. The ride with its purple track and yellow supports is easily noticeable from a nearby highway.
Ride experience
Riders start by climbing a 170 foot lift hill. At the peak, riders drop down a few feet in a pre-drop. The pre-drop serves to reduce the stress and pull of the chain. After the pre-drop, riders drop 210 feet into a water-filled ravine at a 65 degree angle and reaching speeds of 73 mph. At the end of the ravine, riders go up a second airtime hill with a 131 foot drop. The riders then enter a short tunnel at the bottom of the second drop. Then after the third hill, you go down 144 foot drop, which tilts you sideways as you go down. Then, there is a large, upward helix which pulls 4.1 Gs. Coming out of the helix, there is a small drop, then another hill into a brake run. A sudden dive off of the brake run leads into a series of bunny hills and a complete sideways turn. At the end of the ride you go into a camel hump hill and drop into a ditch where the on-ride photo is located. Then the train gently hits the brakes and the riders return into the station.
Goose incident on opening day
Apollo's Chariot is known for a freak accident that occurred during the coaster's opening day on March 27, 1999. The coaster's opening ceremony was attended by the famous male fashion model Fabio (The celebrity appearance), who also rode in the first car of the coaster's train for the maiden ride. During the rapid descent on the ride's first 210 foot drop, a goose struck Fabio in the face, leaving his nose covered with blood and requiring him to be treated for some cuts at a local hospital.[1]
Awards
- Voted #4 Best Steel Coaster (Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards for 2005).
Golden Ticket Awards: Best Steel Coaster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ranking |