Vekoma and SF

Do you guys think that after all the problems Six Flags has had with all of their rides from vekoma,i.e. Deja Vu, X-Flight, Batwing etc.., that it has ruined their relationship with Vekoma? Do you think that SF will buy any new rollercoasters from Vekoma in the near future?

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Restraining orders are just another way of saying I love you.

*** This post was edited by Gamfan on 12/30/2002. ***

Well i guess Vekoma will still sell their rides in Europe to SF and their junior coasters are almost always a safe investment.

SF will still buy coasters from Vekoma, but i doubt they'll purchase any Vekoma prototypes for a long time.

I don't know is Six Flags will no longer work with Vekoma, I do doubt that Six Flags will have a high priority on the Vekoma list anymore. Those two companies fought a war, a war which Vekoma lost. They haven't forgotten that. For Six Flags it was just business, for Vekoma their company was at stake.

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Dutch Coastin' :: European coasters, thrills and theming!

Isn't Vekoma still in bankruptcy???

I doubt you'll be seeing new Vek's ANYWHERE if they still are..

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82
Technical Services - 2002
Frightzone Screamster - 2002

Vekoma was in bankruptcy BEFORE they sold a coaster to Fantasy Island and Terra Mitica, right?

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Säubern Sie mit Milch? ;)

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, in most cases, allows companies to restructure their debt so that they can continue operations and - hopefully - recover from their situation.

Filing for "Chapter 11" does not automatically shutter the doors of a company. However, it is up to the creditors to determine if they will allow the company to restructure their debt and management that got them into trouble to begin with. If the current creditors do not let them, they have to secure outside financing to pay off any/all of the creditors that do not "buy in" to the plan.

So, yes, it is possible for a company that filed for bankruptcy to continue operations and sell their product - whether it is "Widgets" or roller coasters.

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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...

*** This post was edited by redman822 on 12/31/2002. ***

You'll see a new Vekoma at Paramount Carowinds next year. They are putting in the Runaway Reptar. Its a Vekoma junior just like the one Kings Island has and like the Silver Streak at Canada's Wonderland.

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Wood Rules!

Hmmm, I hope for their sake they sell more than just one kiddie coaster. I'd hate to see them become S&S/Arrow/Vekoma! (Actually, that would probably be good! - I'd like to see some substantial improvements made to their products....their layouts have so much potential....)

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

redman, thanks for explaining that in MUCH simpler terms than I ever would have...yes, Vekoma can (and is) carrying on while the bankruptcy proceedings wind their way through the system. WA is also getting one of these Reptar clones: http://www.rcdb.com/installationdetail1572.htm And I for one, am happy-happy about it...

As far as SFI is concerned, I'd expect that the relationship has cooled considerably due to the GIB fiasco....AFAIK, the *wrangling* about the payment for those is still ongoing...

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Carson Palmer wins Heisman, although not as close as predicted...;)
Recommended viewing: Cartoon Network's New Year's Eve Bash, featuring Carl and Brak from Adult Swim....:)

Dreamworld opened their 'Reptar clone' just last Thursday (Boxing Day), along with the rest of the only non-Paramount, non-USA Nick Central:

http://www.totalthrills.com/forums/images/reptar7.jpg

There's a full-fledged SLC going in in Terra Mitica, and according to RCDB, a number of family/kiddies rides.

Vekoma I believe was purchased by another company (non-coaster) and kept the Vekoma name for obvious reasons. They've decided to stick away from the prototypes, selling the off-the-shelf rides for the foreseeable future. As said, companies can operate productively while going through the bankruptcy/bankruptcy protection. Arrow were holding themselves together while going through the Chapter 11 thanks to their flourishing parts sales (... then of course S&S came along, and ruined everything!!).

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So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?

I for one really like Vekoma's rollerskater rides. Spacely's can squeeze out a giggle as good as Hoosier Hurricane's first drop. As for the "Runaway Reptar clones" I personally think they are downright awful. I rode Silver Streak at PCW and aside from the loud rattle and shaky ride, the final turn smacked my head into the harness which was a good distance from my head and VERY HARD probably for that reason. That is not something you would want to experience, if you're a first time rider on one of those, I suggest you brace yourself as the end of the ride comes!

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The below statement is true.
The above statement is false.

I thought the ride at PKI was pretty fun except for the first helix off the lift.

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Wood Rules!

Admittedly ours is brand-spanking new, but I found it to be a pretty smooth ride (when I rode it about 45 minutes after it debuted). My head was well clear of the harness though, so naturally didn't get any headbanging, but there weren't even any of those jolts that would cause headbanging if my head were down there (perhaps Mr. Gator's asterisks would be suitable around *down there*).

I found the train to feel really light - I got the impression that if the train was heavier, then it'd give a better ride.

Anyone who is lucky (?) enough to have a more seasoned version of this ride, want to inform me while I'm here, as to whether they get faster as they wear themselves in? I found the ride to be very slow - not nearly as fast as the regular Rollerskater, which pulls some fierce G's in some of those curves (if only those seats weren't so darn uncomfortable).

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So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?

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auscoasterman said:

Vekoma I believe was purchased by another company (non-coaster) and kept the Vekoma name for obvious reasons. They've decided to stick away from the prototypes, selling the off-the-shelf rides for the foreseeable future.

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A while ago, Vekoma was acquired by a company called Huisman Staalbouw, a very technical company which sells steal constructions. Vekoma will be going on as usual, with one small exception. For the time being, no new coaster-types will be designed. Huisman is currently selling the roller coasters Vekoma still had on it's grounds.

In the past, Vekoma always had one SLC and one boomerang "op de werf", meaning that they had those rides ready for shipment at their factory. Huisman has decided to no longer sell roller coasters as standard products, but as custom-tuned rides, with a similar lay-out. Therefore, all rides in stock have been sold. Currently, Vekoma only has 2 roller coasters at their factory, the HammerHead Stall (which currently cannot be accounted for) and parts of a BatFlyer, which was demolished at the small Dutch themepark Duinrell earlier this year. The HHS is already sold to Fantasy Island, and awaiting shipment. The remains of the BatFlyer will mostlikely be destroyed.

Vekoma is focussing more and more on custom-made roller coasters. Most popular are the Roller Skater and the SJC. There are currently over 10 roller coasters in production for the year 2004. Vekoma is back in business, and I think they'll surpass what they were in the past.

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Dutch Coastin' :: European coasters, thrills and theming!