Vortex (Carowinds)

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Vortex
The vertical loop
Location	Carowinds
Park section	Carolina Showplace
Type	Steel - Stand-up
Status	Open
Opened	March 14, 1992
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Designer	Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH
Model	Stand-Up Custom
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	90 ft (27 m)
Length	2,040 ft (620 m)
Max speed	50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions	2
Duration	2:19
Height restriction	4 ft 6 in (140 cm)
Vortex at RCDB Pictures of Vortex at RCDB
Amusement Parks Portal

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 extraordinary ride (of 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 in its small circuit.

Contents 1 Ride Layout 2 Construction Data 3 Ride Elements 4 External links

[edit] Ride Layout

Riders depart from the station in a unique standing position ready to ascend a small 90-foot (27 m) lift. A small dip, characteristic of Bolliger & Mabillard rides, follows the lift hill, preceding the curved drop. A loop follows the drop and is followed-up by an upward and downward banked turn. A helix follows the downwards turn and is followed-up by a corkscrew. After a wide turn the brake run slows the train before it enters the station.

[edit] Construction Data

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

[edit] Ride Elements

• Loop
• Corkscrew

Vortex's drop

Vortex's loop

Vortex's drop directly before its corkscrew

Vortex's corkscrew

[edit] External links

• Official Page From Carowinds

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