Vortex (Carowinds)

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Vortex

Carowinds
Location	Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Coordinates	35°06′14″N 80°56′30″W / 35.10378°N 80.941622°W / 35.10378; -80.941622
Section	Carousel Park
Status	Operating since March 14, 1992
Cost	$5,500,000
Rider height	54 inch minimum
Replaced	Carolina Turnpike

Statistics

Manufacturer

Bolliger & Mabillard

Product

Stand-Up Coaster

Designer / calculations

Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH

Type

Steel - Stand-Up

Riders per train

24

Propulsion

Chain lift hill

Height

90 feet

Drop

80 feet

Top speed

50 mph

Length

2040 feet

Inversions

2

Duration

2:19

Vortex is a steel stand-up roller coaster located at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Opened on March 14, 1992, it is the third roller coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard. It is also the first one to open on the East Coast.

History

On August 15, 1991, Carowinds announced that they would be building Vortex.^[1] The ride was built on the former site of Carolina Turnpike.^[2] It opened on March 14, 1992. The ride costed $5.5 million to build.^[3]

Vortex was closed for refurbishment for much of the 2023 season. It reopened in August.^[4]

Design

Elements
Chain lift hill Pre-Drop Vertical loop Helix Corkscrew

Vortex has a height of 90 feet, a drop of 80 feet and a max speed of 50 mph.^[5]

Color scheme

Red track and black supports.

Ride experience

After leaving the station, the train climbs a 90 foot chain lift hill. At the top, it drops 80 feet to the right, reaching 50 mph. Following the drop, riders head straight into a vertical loop before hitting a right-handed curve. The train then drops, turns left and enters a helix. Riders approach a smaller drop and a corkscrew. After the corkscrew, the train goes through a figure eight turn. A left turn leads into the final brake run.