Funny, the only problem I have with the Son of Beast lap bars is that they are too high to allow me to comfortably grab the grab handle in front of me. This is simply because I can't put the bar *down* quite as far as I would like because it comes *back* too far. Now, if the seats were more like the ***** LIM***: Flight of Fear seats (which are very nicely upholstered) I would be able to sit back a couple of inches more, which would probably allow me to lower the lap bar another notch, which would eliminate the arm interference problem. The other fix would be to rebuild the Son of Beast cars so that they can track curves instead of shuffling through them.
As for ***** LIM***: Flight of Fear, I would not be at all surprised if Premier is wanting to try a set of lap bars on it (at least one rendering suggests that was the original intent). I have my doubts about Paramount going with any kind of supplemental safety belt system, though, because, besides being unnecessary, it's asking for trouble. What I could see happening, though, is some kind of anti-hand-waving construction around the top of the vehicle. There is a RUMOR that one of the reasons for going with shoulder bars on that ride in the first place was to reduce or eliminate riders' opportunities to touch structure. Anyone who has been in that barrel with the lights on (I've been in there twice) can tell you some of those clearances are REALLY tight.
Here's an idea to make the ride more exciting: Rope lights outlining the track spine all the way around, so the riders can see just how close the track is...!
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
