Big Boom at Nasu Highland Park Question

I was browsing RCDB and I came across this coaster that opened in 1987 and was built by Meisho.

I noticed that the first drop is very steep, and wondered if anyone knows the actual degree. Was it a world record? Here's the picture: http://rcdb.com/ig1730.htm?picture=9

Yes I believe it was for quite some time! Quite spectaular to see the rear car whipped down that thing!

Real Cbuzz quote of the day - "The classes i take in collage are so mor adcanced then u could imagen. Dont talk about my emglihs" - Adamforce

Even scarier is what appears to be a side-friction tire braking system. That thing looks like a death trap!

That hill coming into the station is nothing to be laughed at either. I wonder if the tires operate on the same principles as a skid-brake (similar to Beast at PKI) or if they are controlled by the ride system to slow the train by changing the speed of the tires.

I noticed the tire braking system as well, it is pretty interesting. The whole coaster looks pretty scary.

It's just a guess, but I'd say it uses the same principle as a skid break. As big as that last hill is, using the ride system to control tire speeds wouldn't leave much room for error.

I've no idea exactly how steep the drop is, but I can tell you that it's extremely painful in the rear of the train if you've got long legs :)