Speed of Sound
Specific Type: Boomerang
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Located in the far corner of the park, Speed of Sound is one of the lesser known roller coasters at Dutch amusement park Walibi Holland. It is a standard Boomerang roller coaster built by Vekoma. Opened in 2000, it is one of four new roller coasters installed by Six Flags that year as part of the park’s re-branding as Six Flags Holland.
Speed of Sound was originally called La Via Volta, Italian for “The Turning Road”. During 2007, La Via Volta was closed. Its train was sold to Pleasurewood Hills in England. It was later announced the ride would be redeveloped. Renamed Speed of Sound, a new train was brought in with on-board audio that ran in time with the ride. The station was completely rebuilt and the track painted a new, bright colour scheme. The train moves slowly out of the station and is pulled up the initial lift backwards by the catchcar. Upon reaching the top, the train is immediately released and accelerates quickly down the spike. Riders pass through the station at top speed before traveling up into the cobra roll element. The vertical loop follows and the train begins climbing the second spike. Just before rolling back, the train catches on the lift hill and pulled up the remainder of the spike. The train is then released and riders drop backwards down the spike and through the vertical loop and cobra roll backwards. The train is slowed substantially as it passes through the station before rolling forward into place. Speed of Sound is a great example of how a standard, cookie-cutter roller coaster can be turned into something unique and different with a simple retheme - and it’s definitely worth a shot because of it. |
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