Specific Type: Euro-Fighter 320
|
On October 29th, 2012 hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc along the east coast of the United States. The storm surge that Sandy fueled lead to widespread coastal flooding and devastation. Casino Pier was subjected to strong tidal surges, winds, and the full force of this now infamous storm. The pier partially collapsed into the Atlantic destroying the log flume, and dropping the Star Jet roller coaster into the ocean. The coaster remained largely intact poking out of the water for month before it dismantled, it became an iconic image when a man swam out to the coaster, climbed it and planted an American flag at the highest point. The man was trying to raise awareness to the effort to rebuild the shore. The pier also lost a wild mouse and 15 other flat rides and attractions. It took five years but Casino Pier has been rebuilt and expanded with a host of new attractions including Hydrus a Eurofighter style roller coaster. You may think that the name Hydrus was chosen because its proximity to the sea, but it is actually an homage to the Jet Star & Star Jet coasters that used to sit perched at the end of the pier. Hydrus is named after the constellation so even though it uses the imagery of the sea creature on the logo, and the two cars, its inspiration is celestial.
The ride starts by being locked into one of two, eight person single car trains. Most riders will be pleased to see Hydrus only has lap bars, and others might find that intimidating, those creepy eyes staring back at you from the front of the car don’t help. The car lurches out of the station and makes a left hand turn. The car pauses at the bottom of the 72 foot tall vertical lift and then suddenly you are flat on your back staring up at the sky. At the top the car rounds the apex of the hill and dives into the 97 degree beyond vertical drop. The car reaches its maximum speed of 45MPH and then roars immediately into the vertical loop.The track then sends the car skywards into a steep cutback, and then back down close to the ground. The track ascends and wraps around to the right before entering a slow heartline roll filled with hang time. The track unexpectedly drops steeper giving the car a brief burst of acceleration before entering the brake run. The rides completes the 1,050 foot long circuit with all riders fist-pumping their approval for all of the Jersey Shore to see. RIDE HISTORY |
©1998-2016 COASTER-net.com, All Rights Reserved.