Wicked (roller coaster)

Wicked
Wicked's launch tower, September 2007
Lagoon Amusement Park
Location	Lagoon Amusement Park
Park section	South Midway
Coordinates	40°59′02″N 111°53′44″W
Status	Operating
Opening date	June 1, 2007 (2007-06-01)
Cost	$10 million
General statistics
Type	Steel – Launched
Manufacturer	Zierer
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Tower Launch Coaster
Lift/launch system	Two LSM launches
Height	110 ft (34 m)
Length	2,050.5 ft (625.0 m)
Speed	55 mph (89 km/h)
Inversions	1
Duration	1:46
Max vertical angle	90°
Capacity	900 riders per hour
G-force	4.8
Height restriction	46 in (117 cm)
Trains	a single car. Riders are arranged 4 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.
Wicked at RCDB

Wicked is a steel launched roller coaster located at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah, United States. Designed by Werner Stengel, the ride was manufactured by Zierer at a cost of $10 million and opened to the public on June 1, 2007. It features a zero-g roll inversion and two linear synchronous motor (LSM) launches, reaching a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h).

History

On December 1, 2006, Lagoon revealed more details about their new-for-2007 ride. It would be a launched roller coaster named Wicked. Built by Zierer, the attraction would become the park's most expensive ride at $10 million. Wicked was scheduled to open in April 2007. However, the opening would be delayed to June 1.

Description

Wicked's zero-g inversion (2007)

Wicked was designed by Werner Stengel and manufactured by Zierer, with fabrication subcontracted to Stakotra Manufacturing. The total cost to construct the ride was $10 million. The ride has been described as "very smooth and lacks any jerking or shaking" by Deseret News, which also noted that riders were secured unusually by their ankles and thighs instead of the traditional shoulder and lap restraints.

Wicked is located in the south midway of the park in an area previously used for parking. It has a green track with mostly silver supports, the only exception being the bright yellow supports of the launch tower.

Ride experience

The train leaves the station and turns into a dark tunnel. A siren and loud booming sound effect can be heard immediately before the linear synchronous motor (LSM) launches the train straight up the 110-foot (34 m) vertical launch hill at 41 mph (66 km/h). After cresting, it descends into a second set of LSMs vertically down the other side of the top hat element, accelerating to a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h). This is followed by a small airtime hill with a trim brake and a whip around an Immelmann turn. The track levels out before sending riders up into a zero-g roll, followed by a short descent into a shallow turn. The train descends into a double half-pipe, twists right then left, and proceeds into a downward helix that twists back to the left. The train dips into a tunnel-covered trench before lifting and leveling out into the final brake run.

External links

Media related to Wicked (Lagoon) at Wikimedia Commons