Steel Supports on Viper SFGAM

I was at SFGAM yesterday and noticed something that i had a question about. Why is their so many steel supports on Viper? A lot of the track has steel i-beams through it and a lot of the 4X8's under the track have steel L brackets spanning the track width. I havent seen too many wooden coasters with that many steel supports in them. Any ideas??

Maybe it needed stronger support?

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Anorexia is phat!

Yes, it doesn't matter that much some other woodies have steel supports, it is probably just to hold it better.

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Shockwave @ SFGAm R.I.P 1988-2002
Top 5 Coasters at SFGAm 1)S:UF 2)RB 3) DV 4)V2 5)Viper
Total number of coasters ridden=43

Those are just where there is extra stress on the support. I imagine you mean something like this, and that is because the wood is more likely to split or warp under the stress, where as steel will not. Correct me if I'm wrong...

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... and to think I thought they were there to provide me with thrilling headchoppers. ;)
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There is trouble afoot. - Don't fret.

Its not uncommon for a wooden coaster to have steel supports. Just look at Hoosier Hurricane and Cornball Express at Indiana Beach, they have all steel supports.

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Final Deja Vu Count for the 2002 Season: 52
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But, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't steel give less than wood does?

Wouldn't that lead to a harder (firmer, maybe) ride? The only 'wooden' coaster I've been on with 100% steel supports was Villain, and that's really unforgiving...

But that's probably the train o' plastic working its magic.

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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
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Yeah, the structure is fairly unforgiving. But a lot of the older (1920's) woodies had wood sections to them or were all wood. Wouldn't using small L style steel supports be more forgiving and give more than if large circular steel supporting were used (aka what you see on steel coasters)? I think in the Villian's case, the trains don't help, but I still find it to be a fun coaster. It feels just like a regular wooden coaster.

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In that Roar pic, the I Beam is used because the wood is not there correct? For instance American Eagle at SFGam has a road under it. In that portion of the supports, the wood is replaced by an I beam, which is stronger. Correct me if I'm wrong.

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

The I-Beams ar used to span greater distances. Look at the helix on Twister for example.

Steel woodie supports are nothign new. Coney Island Cyclone has all steel supports.

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Unfrigginbelievably Amazing

Is it all steel? I thought it was only steel in the sections where it was damaged.

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

another steel supported woodie is Great White at Morey's Piers

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"If it's just us...seems like an awful waste of space." -Contact

To name quite a few steel-supported woodies I've ridden include- Hurricane (Pavilion Amusement Park), Hoosier Hurricane and Cornball Express (Indiana Beach), and Villain (SFWoA). Also, there are a few steel coasters such as Gemini that have wooden supports... Arrow Mine Trains also come to mind...

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.