Vortex (Carowinds)

This article is about a roller coaster at Carowinds. For other roller coasters called Vortex, see Vortex (disambiguation).

Vortex
The vertical loop
Carowinds
Location	Carowinds
Park section	Carolina Showplace
Status	Operating
Opening date	March 14, 1992
General statistics
Type	Steel – Stand-up
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Designer	Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH
Model	Stand-Up Custom
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Inversions	2
Duration	2:19
Vortex at RCDB

Vortex is a steel stand-up roller coaster at Carowinds that was built during the last year before Paramount bought the park in the year 1992. This extraordinary ride (of its time) officially opened on March 14, 1992, on the former site of the Carolina Speedway miniature car ride. Vortex was Bolliger & Mabillard's 3rd coaster and contains a loop and a corkscrew in its small circuit.

Ride Layout

Riders depart from the station in a unique standing position ready to ascend a small 90-foot (27 m) lift. A small dip, characteristic of Bolliger & Mabillard rides, follows the lift hill, preceding the curved drop. A loop follows the drop and is followed-up by an upward and downward banked turn. A helix follows the downwards turn and is followed-up by an oblique loop. After a wide turn the brake run slows the train before it enters the station.

Construction Data

• 109 columns and foundations
• 411,000 pounds of steel
• 931 cubic yards of concrete

Ride Elements

• Loop
• Oblique Loop

• Vortex's drop
  Vortex's drop
• Vortex's loop
  Vortex's loop
• Vortex's drop directly before its oblique loop
  Vortex's drop directly before its oblique loop
• Vortex's oblique loop
  Vortex's oblique loop

External links

• Official Page From Carowinds