Vortex (Carowinds)

Vortex is a steel stand-up roller coaster at Carowinds that was built during the last year before Paramount bought the park in the year 1992. This ride, which was unusual at its time, officially opened on March 14, 1992, on the former site of the Carolina Speedway miniature car ride. Vortex was Bolliger & Mabillard's 3rd coaster and contains a loop and a corkscrew element in its small circuit. Vortex was repainted for the 2011 season with red track and gray supports, quite similar to the park's Intimidator coaster. Debuting with Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America and the former Vortex at California's Great America in the 1990s, Vortex was one of the first of a new generation of more developed stand up coasters than what had been introduced in the 1980s.

Vortex
The vertical loop
Carowinds
LocationCarowinds
Park sectionCarousel Park
Coordinates35.1036°N 80.9416°W / 35.1036; -80.9416
StatusOperating
Opening dateMarch 14, 1992
Cost$5,500,000[1]
General statistics
TypeSteel Stand-up
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelStand-Up
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height90 ft (27 m)
Length2,040 ft (620 m)
Speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions2 (Vertical Loop, Corkscrew)
Duration2:19
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Fast Lane available
Vortex at RCDB
Pictures of Vortex at RCDB

Ride Layout

Riders depart from the station in a standing position, then ascend a small 90-foot (27 m) lift. A pre-drop, characteristic of Bolliger & Mabillard rides, follows the lift hill, preceding the curved right drop. A loop follows the drop and is followed-up by an upward right and downward banked turn. An upward helix follows the downward turn and is followed by a right corkscrew. After another upward helix and a wide turnaround, the train ends the finale brake run before entering the station.[2]

Construction Data

  • 109 columns and foundations
  • 411,000 pounds of steel
  • 931 cubic yards of concrete

Ride Elements

  • Loop
  • Corkscrew
  • Banked Turn

References

  1. "A GUIDE TO WHAT'S NEW IN THEME PARKS".
  2. "4K Vortex POV Carowinds". TheCoasterViews. July 19, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2019 via YouTube.
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