Kings Dominion announces Intimidator 305

Looks good. Could do without the OSTR's that are pictured, but if that is what Intamin and the insurers recommend I will live with it. That first curve along the ground is going to be intense. Kings Dominion will have a winner on it's hands next summer. I am not a Nascar fan, but I understand the local demographic and why they made the theming choice they did. Also, I am new hear so feel free to bash my comments.

I think it looks like fun and the lift structure is ridiculous. I wonder if they didn't keep it low to the ground to keep construction costs down?

Overall, if I were to complain it would be about the lack of air (so it seems) and the OTSR's. Oh well...Put's KD back on my must-do list. (not that it matters with child on the way, but at least I can dream).

Oh and 8 car trains. :-P I'll complain about those too.

There's talk on other sites that the restraint will be overhead lapbars similar to the one's used on Pilgrims Plunge.

Here's the quote from the actual intimidator site.

Four passenger open design trains with overhead lap bars but no over-the-shoulder harnesses

Yeah, you would think that the low track would save on steel cost for supports, and with it coming in at the same price as MF, only in 2009 dollars, we can only assume that's the case.

I kind of interpret this as the Americanized version of what European coasters have done for a long time... lots of fast turns. Seems like we're airtime whores over here, but now that we can go this tall, I think it's sweet to go really fast for more than just the bottom of the first drop.

Mamoosh said:
Here's what I want to know: how is the maintenance person they're looking to hire going to climb all the way up to 350 feet when Intimidator is only 305 feet tall?

;)

I know your just joking, but did you read my post 2 above yours?

Can CF build a ride that ISN'T yellow and red?

The structure really interests me. Is the lift hill really only going to have two supports as shown in the rendering? That's crazy!

The renderings they come with anymore seem to be pretty true to form. That is, with the exception of the theming. ;)

And the restraints.

If there's confirmation the lapbars are similar to PP's then I'm down with that. My only fear is really something that goes over the shoulders and/or completely 100% pins you ala El Toro.

john peck said:
It looks like a Giant Mega-Lite... which is of course, a great thing.

That's EXACTLY what I first thought. All I know, is I'm probably more excited about this than CP's ride, as of right now.

Jeff Bachiochi said:
If its NASCAR themed, shouldn't that first big turn go left? And all turns for that matter?

No it's themed after Earnhardt which means it needs to take a sharp right into a wall.

Only two trains? I know there is no MCBR but why wouldn't they set up the station similar to MF with separate load and unload areas?

You know, I find it interesting on the specific wording that they use regarding the cars. They specifically say overhead lap bars but no over-the-shoulder restraints.

Now, that could mean that perhaps the renderings are wrong (BTW, who did the renderings anyway? Looks kinda like Keith's, but not quite his top quality, so maybe he didn't do it) and maybe they are trying to make a point and say that it will not have the OTSRs. Or, according to them, these are not OTSRs (which, to me, is basically lying, as anyone can see that they are).

If you remove these OTSR "straps", then basically you have the "overhead lap bars", which I hope is the case. There is no need for OTSRs on a ride like this--period--as long as the seats & lap bar restraints are designed and used properly.

That's a Keith render for sure. I'm not sure where it's lacking in quality though. It looks damn good to me.

He also did Pilgrims Plunge and had the standard Intamin OTSR's on that render as well. The ride turned out to have overhead lapbars.

It's pretty clear to me that this ride will have similar restraints to PP.

This looks like a good addition to KD as it fills that hypercoaster niche that Paramount neglected. If the turns and hills are anything like Maverick (but on a larger scale), this should be a darn good ride.

Jason Hammond said: I know your just joking, but did you read my post 2 above yours?

Yup. I was teasing those who were convinced that help wanted posting was a clue to the ride's height.

Oh ok well that's good to know that about PP.

Well, the rendering seems good--the Eiffel Tower and Anaconda just looked a little funny to me. I know his work is usually top-notch.

Don't know if I missed this anywhere. What's the reason for Intamin swtiching track types?