Wipeout (ride)

A Trabant at Valleyfair

The Wipeout is a newer form of the Trabant. The rides are very similar as they both were made by Chance Rides. They each spin horizontally, and then start fluctuating in a wavelike manner. There is a motor underneath the ride that makes both of these rides raise up and down. When you look at either of these rides, you can see that the ride tilts on its side.

History

Carl Sedlmayr of Royal American Shows discovered the Trabant (German for satellite) in Germany. He purchased the manufacturing rights from the young German man who invented it, and approached Harold Chance of Chance Industries to build the ride. Chance saw the potential in the ride, made it flashier by adding lights and colorful panels, and mounted it on a trailer so it would be portable.^[1] The first ride was sold in 1963 and it became very popular with traveling showmen. Chance eventually started producing a permanent model that was not mounted to a trailer. The ride was also available in a number of different themes such as Mexican Sombrero, Wagon Wheel, and Roulette Wheel. Chance sold 254 Trabant rides between 1963 and 1990.^[1] In 1991 Chance introduced the Wipeout, an updated version of the Trabant that has seating that faces in both directions and has the ability to spin faster than a Trabant.

Ride cycle

During the duration of the ride, the ride will change speeds. When the ride is fluctuating in its wavelike manner, the person will feel like the ride is not going that fast. However, when the ride is almost over, the person will feel forces on their body, and get pushed toward the outside of the cars. This happens when the ride starts lowering to the ground in a non-wavelike manner. When the ride moves in this way, it acts like a Himilaya / Musik Express ride. Both the Trabant and Wipeout move forwards and backwards. Because of the forces experienced on the ride, there must be two riders on the ride at all times. Most parks and carnivals require that riders be a minimum of 42 inches tall with an adult, and 48 inches tall without an adult.

Seating on the ride consists of 20 seats, with two people on the left and two people on the right. There is a maximum of 40 people on the ride. Other names of the Wipeout/Trabant are: the Mexican Hat, Hully Gully, Sombrero, Wagon Wheel, Casino, Razzle Dazzle and Super Satellite.

Appearances

There are only 2 traveling Trabants in the UK, The oldest one known as Craig Murray's Super Satellite available for hire only from Bounce Time. Originally built in America in 1961 by Chance Rides and now fully restored and in excellent working condition.

The original one sent to Australia (built by Bennett) is still traveling, and still provides significant competition for some of the newest rides.

El Sombrero at Six Flags Over Texas is a portable Trabant that was installed in 1965.^[2] In 2006, the ride was moved from its previous location, removed from the trailer, and given a complete overhaul. It is one of the oldest operating Trabant rides at a permanent amusement park.

Other appearances include:

• Joker's Wildcard – Six Flags New England (Wipeout)^[3]
• Mad Rex – Six Flags New Orleans, currently Standing but not operating.
• Burnout – Funfields (Trabant),^[4] previously known as "Stingray" and located at Dreamworld.^[5]
• Wipeout – Knott's Berry Farm (Wipeout)^[6]
• Wipeout – Lake Compounce
• Cyclone Sam's – World's of Fun
• Wipeout – Canobie Lake Park
• Frozones toboggans on ice – at comic adventure land (Gernemy)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wipeout (ride).