Chance Rides...

Remember the KS-based company that built park trains and a few flats like the Wipeout, Yoyo, and Swinging Ship 1? They are branching out, getting more into flats and coasters...

The Vekoma licensing to build the family invert at Fun Spot was a big move, as was the installation of the Unicoaster at Belmont (aka, "Octotron"). Today's blog post highlighted their new Freestyle (first installation just last month), the new SkyQuest (people-mover ride that looks like a mix-up of Ferris Wheel and coaster track), and the new Hyper GT-X coaster.

Congratulations to Chance Rides on their new product lines and customers!

http://www.chancerides.com/coasters/hyper_gtx.html

As much as I am rooting for their continued success, I really do not see any innovation in this jr. hyper coaster design.

I see a couple of things, particularly for a fledgling design. I like the return under the lift, that would be a cost trimmer for the customer. The turnaround seems a little slow, maybe, but it doesn't skimp on action or length considering the smallish footprint. I can think of several small/medium parks out there that would likely benefit from an installation like that.

I wonder if they'll exhibit the Freestyle at IAAPA this fall? I'd like to try that new age Trabant. I guess they sold one to a showman, I forget who, and many times they'll set it up the once in Orlando before its delivered. Not that I have plans to go this year,...

I didn't care for the Unicoaster, I rode the one at The Mall. Ugh.

I personally don't classify the track layout as an innovation. And unless I have a plot of land that happens to exactly fit the shape of that ride, having the track go underneath the lift doesn't really benefit me.

If only they'd add swinging Zipper cars to the chassis, then you'd have something (and make it an airtime machine to boot)...

I always thought it would be nice if they would develop a large high capacity version of the Zipper for permanent installations.

Fun said:

I personally don't classify the track layout as an innovation. And unless I have a plot of land that happens to exactly fit the shape of that ride, having the track go underneath the lift doesn't really benefit me.

Reusing supports under the track cuts down on cost, I'd imagine that's the theory, this looks like a low cost coaster. I'd love to see one.

I tend to think that price is where Chance is going to compete. They're not building to compete with Intamin or B@M. If you're in the market for one of those, you're probably too big to look at Chance for an adult ride. It's more along the lines of the Morgan catalog items they now sell and service...Chance-Morgan. Would love to see them build a mine train along the lines of Quicksilver Express at Bonfante...

Running track under the lift hill would add a nice illusion of speed, as you zip by the supports. The Williams Grove Cyclone had (well, has) that. I enjoyed that ride.

I really like the Fun Spot ride. It has a really great ending.

^LOL, it is weird having a "family" invert with a B:TR-type helix at the end...

Weird in the good way! :~P

Oh, I know! A fast spiral with a sudden stop. I'm looking forward to it.

I grew up with Chance rides. There was always at least one at every carnival or amusement park I ever stopped at. To say they produced a few flats is an understatement. They were responsible for Zipper, Sky Diver, Turbo, Radar, Zumer, Rotor, Trabant, YoYo, Sea Dragon, Flying Bobs, Astro Wheel, Giant Wheel, Century Wheel, Rok n Rol, Toboggan, and many variations of those same rides with different names and themes. Later offerings included Wipeout, Aviator, Thunderbolt, Unicoaster, Inverter, Pharaoh's Fury, and the ill-fated Chaos.
I'm glad the company has focused on new rides but still produces some of the classics. And the fact that they're venturing into the medium sized coaster business seems like a very right move to me. I hope someone eventually picks one up.