Ultra Twister (Six Flags AstroWorld)

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Ultra Twister

Ultra Twister in 2004

Six Flags AstroWorld
Location	Houston, Texas, USA
Coordinates	29°40′27″N 95°24′34″W / 29.674244°N 95.409529°W / 29.674244; -95.409529
Section	European Village
Status	Defunct
Operated	1990 to October 30, 2005
Rider height	48 inch minimum

Six Flags Great Adventure
Name	Ultra Twister
Location	Jackson, New Jersey, USA
Operated	June 6, 1986 to 1988
Cost	$3,000,000
Replaced by	Viper

Statistics

Manufacturer

TOGO

Product

Ultratwister

Type

Steel - Pipeline

Track layout

Out and Back

Riders per train

6

Propulsion

Chain lift hill

Height

96.8 feet

Drop

92 feet

Top speed

44 mph

Length

1421 feet

Inversions

3

Drop angle

85°

Duration

1:40

Ultra Twister was a steel pipeline roller coaster which operated at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, USA. The ride previously operated at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, USA from 1986 to 1988. It was built by Japanese company TOGO. This was also the only Ultratwister to open in North America.

History

In November 1985, construction of Ultra Twister started at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, USA. The ride opened on June 6, 1986.^[1] It was located next to Rolling Thunder and featured a chicken exit.

While at the park, the steel rings had a tendency to develop stress fractures that required welding, and the 90 degree vertical lift hill made evacuating guests difficult. The ride lasted less than three years and closed in 1988 because of technical issues and maintenance costs along with Six Flags' ride rotation program, which saved money and also allowed more newer attractions at parks each season. The ride was dismantled and removed from the park in early 1989 to be sent to another Six Flags park. The plot where Ultra Twister stood remained empty until the construction of Viper, which opened in 1995.^[2]

Ultra Twister was then moved to Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, USA. Pieces started to arrive during the 1989 season.^[3] It was rebuilt partially on the former footprint of the Alpine Sleigh Ride, requiring removal of the remaining outside track sections. It was repainted and subsequent changes to the ride were made. The 90 degree lift hill was changed and modified to a 45 degree lift hill. This also increased the ride's length.^[4] It reopened in 1990.^[5]^[6]

In 1991, Ultra Twister was given a new dispatch system.^[7]

In 2001, the ride had new anti-rollback racks and a new lift chain installed.^[8]

In 2002, Ultra Twister's lift hill was repainted.^[9]

In 2003, The north end of Ultra Twister (the switchback) was repainted.^[10]

In 2004, Ultra Twister was repainted lime green track and navy blue supports.^[11]

Six Flags AstroWorld closed permanently on October 30, 2005.^[12] Six Flags would relocate many of the park's rides to other Six Flags properties, while others were put up for auction or demolished for scrap. Ultra Twister was disassembled and sent to Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA and was put into storage.^[13] The ride was reportedly damaged when it was disassembled during Six Flags AstroWorld's demolition, making it difficult to reinstall and rebuild.^[14] In November 2009, the ride was put up for sale by Six Flags on ITAL International, but it failed to receive any buyers.^[15]^[16] It was put in storage at Six Flags America from April 2006 to June 2010 before being scrapped.^[17]^[18]