Dale Earnhardt lives on... as 305-foot roller coaster at Kings Dominion?! [w/VIDEO]
The Intimidator is coming soon - click above image to watch the video
Let's see The New York Times ignore this! Next Spring, Kings Dominion amusement park in Virginia will be introducing an all-new giga-coaster not only named "The Intimidator" after the late, impossibly great stock car king, but featuring cars designed after Dale Sr's signature black Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
We're not entirely sure what a "giga-coaster" is either, but we'll go out on a limb and assume it's bigger than a regular roller coaster. A lot bigger. How giga? How about a 305-foot main drop? Exactly, dang. Not only that, but lucky riders will be hurled through time and/or space at speeds over 90 mph. Which for a coaster is very, very fast. Oh, and that whole thing about the NYT ignoring Earnhardt's death? 100% false. And if you'd like to watch a teaser virtual video of the Intimidator coaster in action, make the jump where you'll not only find the footage, but the official press release as well.
[Source: intimidator305.com]
Press Release
Kings Dominion to Introduce $25 Million Steel Giga-Coaster In 2010
Intimidator 305 will be the Biggest, Baddest and Meanest on the East Coast
Doswell, VA. (Aug. 20, 2009) – The most exciting ride in Kings Dominion's 35-year history will debut in the spring of 2010, as the amusement park introduces a mammoth 5,100-foot long steel Giga-coaster. Intimidator 305 takes it name from one of stock car racing's most beloved and tenacious drivers, Dale Earnhardt, "the Intimidator™" along with the height of the coaster's lift hill, 305 feet.
Intimidator 305, only the second Giga-coaster ever built in North America, will be the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast. The lift hill will stand a towering 305 feet at its highest peak; descend 300 feet at an 85 degree-angle and thunder along the track at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour during its three minute race to the finish. The trains, fashioned after Dale Earnhardt's signature black car, will roar through six airtime humps plus three high-speed turns and the experience will have guests screaming for another lap around the track. "Intimidator 305 will break records as the single largest capital investment in the history Kings Dominion," said Pat Jones, Kings Dominion's vice president and general manager. "The numbers speak for themselves, at a cost of $25 million, a lift hill and first drop close to the height of the park's landmark Eiffel Tower; you'll have to see it to believe it." Intimidator 305 will be located in the park's Congo section and becomes Kings Dominion's 15th World-class roller coaster. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will partner with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, owners of Kings Dominion, to bring the massive coaster to life. "We're excited to see this new roller coaster celebrate the speed and intensity of the legendary career of Dale Earnhardt," said Jeff Steiner, executive vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. "there are millions of fans that still honor their racing hero and this is a very real way for them to connect with the spirit and passion of the Intimidator™."
Guests will have the opportunity to see the ride being built from the ground up during the remainder of the park's 2009 season, as well as follow its progress by watching the online webcam, set up to overlook the entire work site. Those who cannot wait until 2010 may take a virtual ride on Intimidator 305, access exclusive updates, features, virtual renderings, ride statistics, and more at www.intimidator305.com.
Intamin AG of Wollerau, Switzerland, a recognized industry leader in roller coaster development, designed Intimidator 305. The ride is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010. Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN." In addition to Kings Dominion, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six waterparks, one indoor waterpark resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kostkac09 11:17AM (8/21/2009)
Ehh, I'll take Millennium Force at Cedar Point
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Platinum_Skeet 11:32AM (8/21/2009)
Hell yeah best roller coaster I've ever been on in my life.
Patliean1 11:54AM (8/21/2009)
Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster FTW
kostkac09 11:58AM (8/21/2009)
Major FTW, King Da Ka is just a copy cat. Whats another 10 feet, and 3 miles per hour. I'll take the original. Actually going next weekend, can't wait!
Kattleox 11:17AM (8/21/2009)
Oh, and it can sit right next to the Colin McRae bumper boats, I assume?
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TigerMil 11:23AM (8/21/2009)
I preferred the King vice a guy who bumped and bashed his way to many wins.
Blasphemy, but true.
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TigerMil 11:24AM (8/21/2009)
Ahh..Richard Petty Sr. for you guys that can't count past 3.
yyzron 11:31AM (8/21/2009)
ummm.. shouldn't this ride only turn left?
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Sean Flanagan 11:48AM (8/21/2009)
It does, except for the very last one.
Too soon?
Epyx 1:21PM (8/21/2009)
Sean - very funny post ruined by the tired "too soon" joke at the end.
klitorisaurus 2:19PM (8/21/2009)
Damn.... beat me to it!
jcar302 11:34AM (8/21/2009)
The dragster ride and king da ka will still be better. 90mph is nothing these days on a roller coaster.
0-130 in 3 seconds is a different story.
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ello 11:47AM (8/21/2009)
Oh hell yeah, Kingda Ka is the craziest roller coaster I have ever ridden. Everything inside of you turns upside down again and again, crazy ride, highly recommended for those without serious heart condition. Acceleration on this thing beats every supercar there is, plus the 45 story drop is borderline suicidal.
jcar302 2:15PM (8/21/2009)
You don't have to tell me, i live 3 miles from the park.
Too bad KDK got hit by lightning like 40 days ago and has yet to re-open.
mutantchimp 11:48AM (8/21/2009)
Hmmm a roller coasted named after a guy who died after his car slammed into the wall. how reassuring.
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Justin 12:10PM (8/21/2009)
Looks fun... Im a roller coaster junkie so Ill have to road trip it there sometime to give it a go... But yeah, hands down the most wicked coaster I've been on has got to be the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. First time I went on that thing I sat front row... I felt so sorry for the folks behind me... If you've never experienced 0 to 120mph in 5 seconds here's a tip... Keep your mouth closed...
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mateens 12:46PM (8/21/2009)
If this is a tribute to a NASCAR driver, shouldn't the roller coaster just do oval loops?
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Andrew 5:49PM (8/21/2009)
I've built better in Rollercoaster Tycoon.
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3series 7:09AM (8/22/2009)
FYI. "Giga" refers to any coaster taller than 300 feet.
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boxer3main 2:33PM (8/21/2009)
intimidator 305. Great name for a 1984 monte carlo SS.
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