Josh - When this coaster was tested in it's original form in Utah, it was shown on CNN and other news programs. I caught a few glimpses of it then. This past May it was shown on one of the new Discovery specials (was it Extreme RIdes 2000?), and MSNBC's coaster special.
The launch seems to occur on the ground like on Outer Limits, Mr. Freeze, Chiller, S:TE, or any shuttle I can think of. It was like someone laid a space shot down on the ground, and when it exited the launch track, it ascended that wicked hill. What struck me most was this...For years I dreamed about a Superman the escape that would just travel down the other side of the tower, and that was EXACTLY what this looked like. I freaked out.
Anyone else see the MSNBC coaster show? When they showed Stan Checkets standing in front of the thing and it launched without warning, I simply couldn't believe it. 0-80 in slightly under 2 seconds he said? It was the most intense thing I ever had seen. Stan gave a smile to the camera as if to say "Ha! Look at this thing I created!" When I saw that I new I had to go for the opening day.
-Peabody
*** This post was edited by Peabody on 1/10/2001. ***
*** This post was edited by Peabody on 1/10/2001. ***