Stealth (roller coaster)

Stealth is a steel roller coaster located in the Amity Beach area of Thorpe Park in Surrey, England, UK. Built and designed by Intamin of Switzerland for £12 million, the Accelerator Coaster model opened in 2006. Riders reach a maximum height of 62.5 metres (205 ft) and accelerate from 0-80 mph in 1.9 seconds. It has the fastest acceleration of any coaster in the UK, and is the tallest among launch coasters in the country. At the base of the top hat element on either side, riders may experience up to 4.5 G.^[1]

Seat Restraints

Entrance to Stealth

Stealth's restraint system consists of a thick, rigid lap bar and two thin, flexible over-the-shoulder restraints. Because the over-the-shoulder portions of the restraint are not rigid, the hand grips are mounted to the lap bar. These restraints use a hydraulic locking system (rather than a ratchet system) which allows them to be pulled down to any position; when locked, they can move down to any position but not up. In contrast, a ratchet-based restraint only locks at each notch, and will often be too loose or uncomfortably tight. Stealth's restraints are also held down by a belt in case the main locking system fails. In order to speed up loading, riders are asked to secure their own restraints if they are able to. This restraint system is identical to many Intamin Launch coasters, including Kingda Ka and Rita at Alton Towers.

Ride Experience

Once the train has been locked, checked, the launch sequence will begin, this involves retracting the brake fins into the track and the attaching of the train to the catch car. An American accented voice announces "Place your heads back, face forwards, hold on tight and brace yourself." The announcer repeats his message as five red lights turn on one by one, before shouting "Three, two, one, GO, GO, GO!" The lights turn green and the train then accelerates to 80 mph in 1.8 seconds, climbs the top hat, turning 90 degrees to the left, then descends the top hat element, through another 90 degree turn, before climbing the second hill (Bunny Hop) producing a moment of apparent weightlessness then smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic brakes. The train then returns to the station via a U-turn.

Roll Backs

As with many Intamin Launch Coasters, Stealth experiences occasional 'roll backs' if it is unable to complete the course as a result of energy loss.^[2] Although infrequent, roll backs can be caused by excessive friction or by adverse weather conditions. Roller coaster trains typically run slower in colder weather. Computer sensors located under the track along the ride check the acceleration of the train during each run. The measurement readings are averaged to calculate whether the train is traveling too fast or too slow, and the launch force is adjusted accordingly throughout the day.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stealth (roller coaster).

• Stealth at Thorpe Park Mania
• Stealth at Thorpe Park