Zonga's circuit complete at Six Flags Marine World

I feel like an optometrist. "Which looks better? Number 1, or number 2?"

http://www.joyrides.com/sfaw/fit/texas_tornado3.htm

http://www.norcalcoasters.com/photo.php?photo=http://www.norcalcoasters.com/updates/041503/over2.jpg&caption=An%20overview%20of%20Zonga.

So did they, indeed, modify Zonga? The first drop looks a little shortened, but that could just be an illusion due to the pictures being taken at different heights and distances...

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Classically trained to rock your socks off (since 1991).

The drop has actually been shortened and the loops raised. You can really tell the loops have been raised since the first loop used to be the same height as the first brake run. My biggest concern for the ride is with the restraints for the trains. Hopefully they've got a good amount of padding on them.

I am thinking more along the lines that due to the modifications done to the drop that it may have some severe bumps in it because it had to be shortened and reangled so it would still align with where the first loop is. The rumor is that Premier did the modifactions to the drop is it possibile they did the new OSTRs also? If they did hopefully the new ones will be like the nice padded ones on Speed The Ride.

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It isn't so bad. . .
Once you're used to it*** This post was edited by Whizzer Boi 4/15/2003 12:37:57 PM ***

200 feet of new track by Premier. Including the loops being heightened by 12 feet. The new restraints were done by Larson Int from what I understand along with the panel.

I saw the photos of the restraints they look like real nice padded ones. But I'll bet they'll be doing the earring and eyeglasses inspections like they done with other coasters with those types of restraints.

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Chris Knight
Who is hoping to make it to his first SRM.
Bird Watching is Awesome I spoted this awesome bird of prey

What they didn't change is the fact that there's exactly zero justification for OTSR's at all.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

Except when people lean forward and are crushed by the 6 Gs.

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I was asked to describe X in one word. The word? -- OhmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfintothisisthescariest
thingintheworldhelpmeIamgoingtodieAHHHH!!!

Is that sarcasm or are you serious?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

The ride, obviously, won't be pulling 6 anymore... or at least by the looks. With the loops and drop raised (IMO, stupid), it has to be less intense now.

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Am I really that shy?*** This post was edited by The Shy One 4/15/2003 4:53:12 PM ***

Jeff, that case could be made for just about *any* coaster operating with OTSR. Why should Zonga be any different?

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People complain about clones, yet can't even come up with original conversation, which is ten times worse.

It may be a little bit less intense but it will still pull probably close to 5 Gs. I like the old paint job a lot better and I didn't think it would of needed a new paint job so soon. How many trains did they retrofit witht he new restraints? The original Thriller had I beleive 5 trains. Will there be a unload and loading station since the station platform is so long? Also the station seems pretty temporary so maybe this ride will continue traveling to other Six Flags parks.

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Mike
Favorite Wood: Viper at SFGAM,Shivering Timbers
Favorite Steel: Magnum and Raging Bull

I don't think so I think it will stay put Six Flags Traveling Coasters seem to end up stuck in either Texas Or California and since this one came from Texas. . . As far as the repaint it was probably done since the old sceme was nearly all Yellow and V2 is nearby

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It isn't so bad. . .
Once you're used to it*** This post was edited by Whizzer Boi 4/15/2003 5:42:26 PM ***

At first I was a little hesitant to like the changes since I liked it so much before, but I think the fact that both loops are now higher than the brake run means for a little added hangtime on the top.(and we know whats at the top of one of those loops) We'll have to wait and see.

-djansi

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"Eject Goose, Eject!"

"Is that sarcasm or are you serious?"

haha. I'm serious, but I worded it wrong. People aren't so much crushed as they are "extremely uncomfortable" or "smashed into the front of the car." I'm saying the OTSRs are they so people don't lean forward as they enter the vertical loops. The Gs from the loops (they might not be 6 Gs anymore) can push people down and it would be pretty uncomfortable. I heard they did the same with Revolution at SFMM, and this is partially the reason they did it for Zonga. :)

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I was asked to describe X in one word. The word? -- OhmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfintothisisthescariest
thingintheworldhelpmeIamgoingtodieAHHHH!!!

OTSRs are on the train because of clearence issues with the supports and track. They were going to install lapbars at SFAW, but axed the idea because we all know the intelligence of parks guesta after they walk through the gates, just trying to avoid a very likely lawsuit, loss of limb(s) or death.

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Jeremy Murphy
www.lonestarthrills.com

California has the most stringent and toughest amusement ride laws in the nation, the reason ANY coaster with a loop/inversion in it has to have restraints. In addition California has the dumbest coaster riders in the country. Riders on Revloution at S.F.M.M. lunged forward going into the loop and injured themselves, causing the park to put the OTSR's on the ride, never intended for them. It's dumb riders who ignor rules ruin it for the rest of us.

California's regulations have nothing to do with it. Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's has an inversion, and no OTSR's.

I think you guys are forgetting that Premier just retro-fitted a half-dozen launched loopers to have lap bars.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

Right, but Premier has nothing to do with a park decision whether to include OTSR or not. And given the history of this particular ride, I can understand why Marine World wants to play conservative.

While their is no law on the books, there has been pressure to include restraints on coasters here in California. How else would you explain OTSR on coasters that certainly do not need them, California Screamin' or Revolution.

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People complain about clones, yet can't even come up with original conversation, which is ten times worse.*** This post was edited by DWeaver 4/16/2003 1:56:07 PM ***

I don't care what you think, I love the new paint job.

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17 days...