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| Manufacturer | Pinfari | ||||||||||
| Product | RC70 | ||||||||||
| Type | Steel | ||||||||||
| Riders per train | 20 | ||||||||||
| Propulsion | Chain lift hill | ||||||||||
| Height | 24 metres | ||||||||||
| Top speed | 72 km/h | ||||||||||
| Inversions | 2 | ||||||||||
Gotham, formerly Tornado, is a steel roller coaster currently located at Parc d'Attractions Marseillan-Plage in Marseillan, Occitanie, France. It is one of two RC70 roller coasters built by Pinfari, and the only one thought to still be operating. The ride is the largest roller coaster from the company. It previously operated at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park as Tornado, and was the largest roller coaster in Scotland.
History
Tornado was first introduced in 1998.[1]
M&D's put up a warning sign, explaining the ride's "boisterous" personality. Riders with neck problems, heart conditions, back problems, or pregnancy were advised not to ride. Earrings, loose clothing, hats, scarves, and glasses had to be removed.[citation needed]
For the 2006 season, the ride's final inversion, the corkscrew, was removed. In the only existing POV of Tornado with the corkscrew, the footage becomes muted, choppy, shaky, and freezes for a couple seconds.[2] The corkscrew was replaced by a heavily banked curve.
In 2012, Scottish radio network Real Radio held a special event for listeners, and riders were challenged to eat lunch on the coaster. Even Britain's Got Talent winner Jai Mcdowall joined the riders.[3]
In 2018, the ride was put up for sale.[4] Tornado did not operate in 2020 but remained standing but not operating, with a travelling funhouse temporarily placed in front of the station waiting for the ride to be sold.
In November 2020, M&D's sold Tornado. Dismantling of the roller coaster was completed by the end of 2020. It reopened at Parc d'Attractions Marseillan-Plage on 21 July 2021.
Design
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Riders are held in with thick over-the-shoulder harnesses. The ride has two back-to-back vertical loops.
Colour scheme
While at M&D's, Tornado had red track and white supports. When relocated to France, it was repainted black with yellow supports.
Trains
5 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 20 riders per train.
Images
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References
- ↑ "M&Ds Flyer 1998". The UK Theme Park Hall of Fame.
- ↑ "Tornado at M&Ds Park, Scotland POV". davidjellis.
- ↑ "M&D's Real Radio's Rollercoaster Lunch". scotlandsthemepark.
- ↑ https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3167581319921334&id=290972317582263
External links
- Tornado on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
