Viper (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
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| Viper | |
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| Location | Six Flags Magic Mountain |
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| Park section | Baja Ridge |
| Type | Steel |
| Status | Open |
| Opened | April 7, 1990 |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Designer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Model | Custom Looping Coaster |
| Track layout | steel |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 188 ft (57 m) |
| Drop | 171 ft (52 m) |
| Length | 3,830 ft (1,170 m) |
| Max speed | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| Inversions | 7 |
| Duration | 2:30 |
| Max vertical angle | 50° |
| Capacity | 1,700 riders per hour |
| Cost | $8,000,000 USD |
| Max g-force | 4.1 |
| Height restriction | 4 ft 6 in (140 cm) |
| Viper at RCDB Pictures of Viper at RCDB |
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Viper is a steel roller coaster made by Arrow Dynamics of the United States. The coaster is located in the Baja Ridge area of Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.
Of the three Arrow Mega-Loopers (the others being Shockwave at Six Flags Great America, now replaced by Superman: Ultimate Flight) and Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Great Adventure), coaster enthusiasts prefer this one the most. Viper got a new paint job for the 2008 season; bright red track and repainting of the white supports.[citation needed]
[edit] Record holding
When Viper opened in April 1990, it was the tallest and fastest looping coaster in the world, until the opening of the Steel Phantom roller coaster at Kennywood in May 1991, which had a top speed of 80 mph.
Viper features the world's highest 360-degree loop—maxing out at 144 feet above ground.
Viper still remained the tallest looping coaster in the world, but when the Steel Phantom was modified in 2001 where it lost its inversions, Viper reheld the title of fastest multi-looper in the world joint with the new Superman Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, both with a top speed of 70 mph.
It was only until Storm Runner opened in 2004 at Hersheypark, with a top speed of 75 mph that Viper once again lost the title of fastest multi-looping coaster. Viper however, is taller than both Storm Runner (150 feet) and Superman Krypton Coaster (168 feet) with a height of 188 feet, which then made it just the tallest multi-looper in the world.
[edit] Drawbacks
Although its status as the park's most extreme ride has been usurped by several new coasters, Viper's seven inversions still thrill parkgoers. There are, however, a couple of drawbacks. Differing from most Arrow roller coasters, the shoulder restraints have large metal handles. This results as a tendency to rattle the heads and necks of its riders, resulting in painful headaches. The restraints cause shorter people to bang their heads on the handles as well.[dubious ]
[edit] External links
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