Vekoma Gravity Max huh?

I saw a video on a website that showed Vekomas gravity max coaster. It looked really awesome but I didn't know that prototype existed. I know it's in a foreign country but is this the only one of its kind in the world?

I don't recall seeing that model on their website either. Just curious.

Afaik, it's the only one.

http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8287

It may not be the only one for too much longer.

I remember the model they had at IAAPA years ago making most everyone uncomfortable.

I saw this today, also. Tpr's facebook feed had it because they went there recently.

Hell to the no.

When was the last time Vekoma manufactured a both fun and comfortable ride? I'm pretty sure it was never. However, they are really good at making fun-looking roller coasters....

I rode this in 2009. It's excellent - fun, comfortable, and f*cking scary.

Trip report and pictures:

http://www.bannister.org/coasters/trips/2009/0831.htm

http://www.themeparks.ie/asia/discovery/index.htm

From all reports, the mini invert at Fun Spot is both fun and comfortable, so I'd say the answer to your question is May.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Expedition: Everest

There you go, bjames.

Although Everest is more recent, I would also put all the Flying Dutchman on that list too. Sure it isnt B&M but its comfortable.

Maybe I'd have to see this in action or experience it, but I'm not sure I get what they were trying to accomplish beyond a 90-degree drop, which regular coasters already do. It looks like they made a simple coaster complex, which will likely result in down time and more required maintenance. How would this be evacuated if the tilt mechanism failed at some bizarre angle or the release mechanism got stuck before the 90-degree drop?

Two things, Jeph:

1. It's gimmicky. I think the idea is to sell the gimmick.

2. It was ultimately built over a decade ago when regular coasters didn't routinely go 90+ degrees.

With that said, I think you summed up exactly why no others were built.

People still bitch about Vekoma as f the standard SLC was the only thing they ever built. They've been doing better work for at least a decade.

There are videos of this ride on Youtube. It looks like a pretty short ride, and kind of strange. I'll bet there will be a different version of it in the US, probably a ride that will out perform it, with more inversions.

Though I don't think American parks would want to pay for all the labor that might go into keeping a ride like that running. Looks like it would be a break down nightmare, and have horrible capacity.

Touchdown said:

Although Everest is more recent, I would also put all the Flying Dutchman on that list too. Sure it isnt B&M but its comfortable.

I'd say that is the least comfortable coaster I have ever rode, in my experience anyways. I might ride the one at Kings Island once each time I visit, just to see if my tolerance of it has got any better. I think it's so bad for me because I tense up and fight it.

LostKause said:

I think it's so bad for me because I tense up and fight it.

That's what she said.

rollergator said:

It may not be the only one for too much longer.

Tease!!

Jeff said:

People still bitch about Vekoma as f the standard SLC was the only thing they ever built. They've been doing better work for at least a decade.

The coasters Vekoma built for Disney (Rock 'n Roller Coaster & Expedition Everest) are pretty good.

I'm positve this was already said by Sirloindude.