Moonsault Scramble
Ride experience
Moonsault Scramble was known for producing extremely high g-forces on its riders. As of 1998, it was cited by some to exert up to 6.5 Gs on its riders. It was one of only three roller coasters outside the United States to exert such extreme forces on its riders (the others being Mindbender and Dreier Looping Coaster). The pretzel knot element (comprising two inversions) that produced these high g-forces was the only such pretzel knot inversion ever implemented in a roller coaster until the opening of Banshee at Kings Island in 2014. The pretzel knot element is different from the much more common pretzel loop element.
Height record
The height claims of coasters like Moonsault Scramble stirred controversy among coaster enthusiasts. Moonsault Scramble's 63-metre (207 ft) height was reportedly attributed to decorative towers that flanked the support structure, while the actual track height measured 60 metres (200 ft). According to the Sun Sentinel in 1989, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the height as 75 metres (246 ft), but the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization refused to recognize the claim, describing it as "disappointing" since riders do not approach the maximum height or "go over the top". The Roller Coaster DataBase (RCDB) lists the overall height as 70 metres (230 ft).
References
- ^ Russell, Alan; McWhirter, Norris D. (1987). Guinness Book of Records (1988 ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 0-85112-868-8.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Moonsault Scramble (Fuji-Q Highland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Cook, Nick (1998). Roller coasters, or, I had so much fun, I almost puked. Millbrook Press. p. 34. ISBN 1-57505-071-4. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
- ^ RCDB listing of roller coasters using a pretzel element
- ^ Chase, Nan K. (August 7, 1994). "Steep Thrills". Washington Post.
- ^ Meskil, Paul (August 6, 1989). "A Rolling Revival". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 26, 2020.