Ultra Twister (Six Flags AstroWorld)

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
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
Park section European Village
Status Defunct
Operated 1990 to October 30, 2005
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Six Flags Great Adventure
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
HELP

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. It was built by Japanese company Togo. This was also the only Ultratwister to open in North America.

History

The modified lift hill can be seen in the background of this photograph

Ultra Twister started construction at Six Flags Great Adventure in November 1985. The ride opened on June 6, 1986.[1] It was located next to Rolling Thunder and featured a chicken exit. The steel rings had a tendency to develop stress fractures that required welding, and the vertical lift made evacuating guests difficult. The ride lasted less than three years and closed in 1988 because of Six Flags' ride rotation program, which saved money. The plot where Ultra Twister stood would be left empty until the construction of Viper, a similar roller coaster had begun in 1994. The ride then opened in 1995.[2] Due to technical issues and maintenance costs, like Shockwave, Ultra Twister was moved to Six Flags AstroWorld. It was repainted and subsequent changes to the ride were made. It reopened in 1990.[3]

Six Flags AstroWorld closed permanently on October 30, 2005.[4] Six Flags relocated rides such as Serial Thriller, a Vekoma SLC, which became Ednör - L'Attaque at La Ronde to be reopened or put in storage at other parks. Ultra Twister was relocated to Six Flags America where it lay in storage for a number of years before being scrapped.

Design

Elements

Color scheme

Green track and blue supports. The ride used to have white track and supports.

Trains

7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows, for a total of 6 riders per car.

Images

References

  1. "Ultra Twister takes riders straight up, drops and spins".
  2. "Ultra Twister". GreatAdventureHistory.
  3. AstroWorld 1990 brochure
  4. "For AstroWorld, the ride is over".

External links


Articles on Six Flags America
Articles on Six Flags AstroWorld
Articles on Six Flags Great Adventure