Busch Gardens Tampa announces SheiKra, a B&M dive machine

When was B&M OUT of the industry? They can only build what customers order. It looks like a GREAT ride and it might be the first ride being built since Millennium Force at CP that I think I need to make a special trip to ride.

wahoo, *exactly*!

I'm happy parks have becided to spend some extra $$ and give B&M the opportunity to be more....creative. S:KC and TG:TJC are examples of what B&M can do when given a good mix of limitations AND *freedom of expression*.

bill, actually RODE this ride...last night in my dreams...:)

Here's an article from the Tampa Tribune.

Synopsis -- SheiKra is a name of a type of African Hawk (quite appropriate).

Park GM says B&M agreed to an exclusivity clause that they would not build another dive machine in the US for "several years" and hinted that the ride is costing more than $10 million.

*** This post was edited by redman822 10/28/2004 11:49:22 AM ***

They might have exclusivity based on distance from the park but it would be unusual for the entire country to be off limits.

Agreed, especially given the market conditions. B&M is quickly running out of potential customers that can afford to build their rides because many already have them.

B&M is an expensive but worth while coaster company... I am happy Busch Continues to use their coasters....

(runs much better than arrow has.... and in msot cases intamin...)

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Oooh... it's going to launch up the first hill, because in the video, there is no lift...;)

This is really unique.... This must be B&M's breakout year for custom rides, between Silver Bullet, Hydra, now this. Great choice for BGT!

Wow. That layout and theming looks great. I must say that I'm glad they expanded on the idea of a dive machine. This is truly a neat concept, but the existing ones are basically 1 trick wonders. If I'm down in Florida, I'll be sure to check out this one !!

Yeah Elf, that video does give a better idea of just how HUGE the Immelman is gonna be. Considering the height of the drop, that inversion will have to be close to 170-180ft tall range (X's first Raven Turn should give you a good idea of just how tall and huge this Immelman is gonna be!).

where exactly in the park is this ride going to be

Stanleyville.

Looks great!

Ha all you people where saying is " Dive machine boring" now look.

One problem with the ride is the fact that it features an inversion that means Busch has kumba, Montu, Python, Scorpion and the new ride with atleast one inversion only Gwazi and Cheetah Chase don't. Not good for those who don't like loops.

If you don't like you loops, you won't like dropping 200' straight down.

Not true, my girlfriend loves long drops (MF, TTD), but hates loops as she hates the feeling of being supported by the restraints alone.

I've been looking forward to a coaster like this forever since Alton Towers is not even a remote possibility. The animation was great...makes me want to start salivating! Can't wait until Spring 2005.

Ha all you people where saying is " Dive machine boring" now look.

Because up until now Dive Machines were one-trick ponies which many considered boring.

:) I still like

I'm personally way more excited about this than I am Kingda Ka. The 3 new coasters (in the U.S.) that I'm most looking forward to for next year are this, Hydra, and Silver Bullett. Then there's Turbulence.

Not as many coasters as in previous years, but we're getting some really high quality stuff! So far, I count less than 5 clones being installed next year, and 2 clones are still brand new designs, just that there are 2 insallations of the coaster in different countries.

The golden age may be on the downward slope, but it ain't over yet!