E_44_46_Coaster 15.02.2010 11:47 Uhr Seite 2

COASTER

An adrenalin-kick with interesting theming

A theme park is basically a location for the whole family. Is it then particularly clever to theme a coaster after one of the most horrible over-18 horror film series? The answer is yes Ð when those concerned are cal- led Thorpe Park!

The family public is only catered to as a side line at Thorpe; the focus is clearly on the target groups that

Text: Tim Herre SAW demand action, action, and more action. And so it’s

Photos: Jennifer Born no wonder that "Saw – The Ride” has become an absolute crowd-pleaser. n order to understand this, one must be familiar Naturally there are controversial discussions about Iwith the history of the Tussauds parks in the Lon- whether the whole thing hasn’t gone over the limits don area. Up until the beginning of the new millen- and all borders of good taste, and those who shout nium, two identically equipped theme parks in the in answer "yes, naturally”, and continue to shout, are immediate vicinity, vied for the attention of visitors to right somehow. But only somehow, because the fas- the English Capital. This era was over at the latest cination caused by the sadistic games of the cen- by the spring of 2002, when Thorpe Park presented tral Saw-character Jigsaw, has become a mass its "Colossus” to the public, an Intamin Looping phenomenon, and the resulting marketing-technical attraction with ten inversions. This installation was expansion in the amusement sector was only a mat- the starting point that formed Thorpe Park into a thrill ter of time. park, followed by the B&M Inverter "Nemesis Infer- Theme parks also fascinate the masses, and must no” and the Intamin Catapult Coaster "Stealth”. The do accordingly, or it doesn’t pay. message was clear: "Families please go to Chess- ington World of Adventures 20 kilometres away! Thrill seekers, and teenagers this way please! Come The rusty looking right on in!” station area

44 E_44_46_Coaster 15.02.2010 11:47 Uhr Seite 3

And it’s not as though the horror first begins when The theming is consistent both inside and out – in The station area doesn’t the eight-seat cars of the Gerstlauer “Eurofighter” other words the most unpleasant in corrugated look any better: the rusty make their start. Already in the waiting area, the eyes sheet metal look, complete with bloody body parts, “charm” overbalances an of the prospective ride guests have to get used to video, incredibly loud soundtrack, and eerie lightn- abandoned industrial building the exponents out of the workshop of Jigsaw, and ing. one doesn’t have to be knowledgeable about the The capacity for a construction with individual cars Saw-series to imagine how the victims of the main is decent, as there are always two cars loaded character take their punishment caused by the rusty simultaneously. On an average, a car leaves the implements in the, in the meantime, six Saw-films. station every 26 seconds, which brings about a Other parts of the waiting line are an almost three theoretical capacity of not less than 1,100 passen- metre high barbwire fence crowned by razor wire, gers per hour. which not only prevents pushing forward – still a The ride itself travels in the dark initially in the build- huge problem unfortunately in a teenager-park such ing connected to the station. After a right curve, as Thorpe – but causes additionally an oppressive guest are first confronted by Jigsaw, who cycles to- atmosphere. The barbwire naturally can’t cause in- wards them on a tricycle in a half circle, greeting jury, because that which looks to be razor sharp is them nicely with the words “let the game begin!” The in actual fact real looking, but of foil. car in the following track section travels towards only

Warnings everywhere about entry and use

45 E_44_46_Coaster 15.02.2010 11:47 Uhr Seite 4

The inversions are well shadowy recognisable large axes, which are avoid- What’s the verdict? “Saw – The Ride” is a “Euro- known manoeuvres of various ed by way of a small drop. Particularly effective here fighter” that without a doubt has been set in the most “Eurofighters” are the barrels that follow with thorns, that are only elaborate of scenes – most particularly because of seen during the first moments of the drop, when they the indoor section. This spring, the experience will are illuminated for a short time. After a left curve, the be extended by a new attraction: diagonally behind ride ascends a few metres, after which the car the coaster an all-year-round horror maze with live enters a warehouse scene with compressed air on scares will open on the old amusement steamer both sides – this works sometimes intensely, some- “Thorpe Bell” – and with that, the park with enough times less, depending on whether one is hit or not. experience, presents the most extensive Halloween However the highlight of the dark section only event in the United Kingdom with its “Fright Nights” comes at this point: after another left curve, ride every month of the year. We wait then in anticipation guests recognise the rescuing daylight, but sud- just how much more frightening “Saw” will be in denly the car goes into an Inline-Twist – directly over 2010. a corpse on the ground that sprays water right up and into the faces of the riders. A frightening moment that stays. At this moment the ride could in actual fact be over, however, oh yes – no comes the outdoor part. Here, the thrill seeker expects a little more than the usual, solid "Eurofighter”-fare. The array of the elements presents a welcome RIDE FACTS change, for example a vertical loop is completely missing. The large drop Opening: 14.03.2009 sends the cars directly into an Immel- Track length: 720 m mann; the rest of the course is played Track height: 30.5 m out behind the drop and the large Max. speed: 89 km/h station building. There, the course is 3 inversions: In-Line-Twist, extensively spread out, but narrow man- Immelmann, Dive-Loop oeuvres are still waiting, which is typical Max. banking: 100° for these types of constructions. After Max. acceleration: 4.7 g an overbanked turn to the left comes an Ride time: 1.40 min (inc.lift) airtime hill, followed by a drop angled 8 vehicles, each for 8 Pers. slightly to the left, and an ascending Capacity: 1,100 Pers./h 180° steep curve, up into the block Designer: John Wardley brakes. Another steep drop follows, and Static/Dynamics: Stengel, with the unbelievably narrow, under the Munich, Germany ground line Dive-Loop, the highlight of Manufacturer: Gerstlauer, the ride comes really at the end. One Münsterhausen, Germany could say that the ride sequence was Operator: Thorpe Park, well choreographed. The signature of Chertsey, England advisor-designer John Wardley can be recognised here.

46