Nitro
Specific Type: Hyper Coaster
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In 2001 Six Flags Great Adventure would build their next coaster; the largest roller coaster in the park to date, and the longest across the entire Six Flags chain at the time. This massive project designed by Bolliger & Mabillard would be called Nitro, and dominates the landscape on the west side of the park. The coaster layout takes thrill seekers out beyond the midways into a wooded area and then towards the lake that creates the natural boundary of the park. Even though this coaster was not aimed at stealing any records it did bring some new innovations. Nitro was the first B&M coaster to have magnetic breaks, and this ride featured a new element as well the hammerhead turnaround.
Rider enter the starkly modern station with its corrugated galvanized steel walls, and unfinished Nitro sign bolted to the wall with a patina of rust from being exposed to the elements, and choose their seat. The train is locked and check before the ride operator screams, “ALL CLEAR MEANS YOU GUYS ARE OUT OF HERE, ENJOY YOUR RIDE ON NITRO!” The train drops out of the station with a dip and U-turn to the left to line up with the 230 foot tall lift hill. When the ride was new there was signage on the way up the lift to let you know your progress; you would surpass the height of the Sphinx, Niagara Falls, The Roman Coliseum, and even the space shuttle. Unfortunately those signs as well as signs in the queue line that gave information about the ride were removed over time. At the top riders are treated to a long view, and then the drop. The train speeds down the main drop of a very steep 68 degrees, and reaching a maximum speed of 80 MPH. At the bottom riders feel intense the intense 4.3 positive G’s, then the train rockets skyward again. At the top of a 189 foot airtime hill riders feel a pleasant floater airtime sensation as the train banks over hard to the left and drops again. The track is now aimed at the lake and the train soars over the next airtime hill, and then into the hammerhead turnaround. The train jumps over another airtime hill, and then into a swerving serpentine curve that leads the train to the 540 degree helix. The train exits out the top of the helix and enters the mid course brake run. The train is almost back to the station but first it bounds over a trio of camelback hills offering tons of airtime. The train completes its circuit and this explosive ride is over, delivering smiling guest back to the station. |
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