Vortex (Carowinds)

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Vortex

Carowinds Location Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Coordinates 35.103780°N 80.941622°W / 35.103780; -80.941622 Park section Carousel Park Status Operating since March 14, 1992 Cost $5,500,000 Rider height 54 inch minimum
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
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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. It opened on March 14, 1992. The ride costed $5.5 million to build.

Vortex was closed for refurbishment for much of the 2023 season. It reopened in August.

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.

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.

Trains

2 trains with 6 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 4 across in a single row, for a total of 24 riders per train.

Images

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  Vortex in 2012

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  The restraints

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  The curved first drop and vertical loop

External links

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  Vortex on the Roller Coaster DataBase.

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