KIRMES & Park REVUE (English) Special: Rouen (Vorschau)

RIDE FACTS:
■ Opening: 16th July 2011
■ Track length: 1,004 m
■ Track height: 43 m
■ Max. Speed: 100 km/h
■ 7 Inversions
■ Max. Banking: 121°
■ Ride time: 2 min 20 sec
(inc. 50 sec for breakpoint
and vertical lift)
■ Track gauge: 1.200 mm
■ 6 single cars,
per car 8 pers.
■ Capacity: 650 p.p.h.
■ Manufacturer: Gerstlauer,
Münsterhausen, Germany
■ Operator: KK Fujikyu
Highland, Fujiyoshida,
Yamanashi, Japan
The idea of first a Heartline-Roll following the exit from
the station area is not completely new, but the fact
that it takes place in the dark station building, and
with that is an absolute surprise for those taking part,
is definitely innovative. Immediately after the eight
individual cars are accelerated to 100 kilometres
per hour, to travel through two inversions shortly
after, and an Inverted Top Hat. This is all followed by
the third inversion, the "Banana Roll” that not only
stands the passengers on their heads, but similar to
a Cobra-Roll, changes the direction of the cars
simultaneously by 180°, bringing the vehicles back
in the direction of the station building. Before arriving
however, the ride goes through a Flatspin and travels
easily over an airtime hill. After travelling through the
station building the ride continues into the second
half of the construction that begins with the 43
metre high vertical lift. Vertical lifts and steep
drops have been familiar to Japanese park visitors
for almost 30 years: in 1985 the first "Ultra
Twister” from Togo made its debut, and held the
world record with its 92° mini-drop for a long time,
which now goes back to Japan with the
"Takabisha” once again. In the case of the
"Takabisha” however, its 43 metres offers a
definitely higher venture downwards, followed not
by a series of Heartline-Rolls, but three further
inversions, all of which are different to each other.
Arriving at the final brakes, the occupants leave
behind 140 seconds that are rich in variety, and
1,000 track metres.
Due to its individual cars, the entwined layout, and
the almost silent operation, "Takabisha” appears
to be ‘nimble-footed’, and reminds one of the Wild
Mouse attractions and Gerstlauer’s Bobsled
coasters. And it’s particularly Japan that is a
country where a compact and light design is
valued, and where quality doesn’t necessarily
have to be equated with weight and bulkiness. And
it’s exactly the western subconscious that leans
towards the massive tracks and trains of the neighbouring
4 th Dimension Coaster "Eejanaika” from S&S,
and take it more seriously than the comparatively
filigree structure of the "Takabisha”. However there
should be no delusions, as the new attraction offers
more thrill in its power limit than many a Hyper-
Coaster! Another attraction will have to make way for
the next large coaster in 2016, as there is not enough
free space available for the next large construction.
Maybe though the well-trodden path will be abandoned,
and the next attraction will be incorporated into
an already existing construction, making the ride
experience then, without a doubt, congenial. ■
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