Kumba (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Kumba


caption=Kumba's interlocking corkscrews.
location=Busch Gardens Africa
section=Congo
type=Steel
type2=
type3=
status=Open
opened=April 20 1993
manufacturer=Bolliger & Mabillard
designer=Werner Stengel
model=Steel Twister coaster
track=Custom
lift=Chain lift hill
height=143
drop=135
length=3978
speed=63
inversions=7
duration=2:54
angle=
capacity=1700
cost=
acceleration=
gforce=3.8
restriction=54
rcdb_number=94

"Kumba" is a roller coaster at Busch Gardens Africa (in Tampa, Florida). Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened in 1993, it stands 143 feet tall and has a top speed of 60 mph. "Kumba" is one of the first in a line of multi-inversion coasters (that is, those having six or more inversions) built by B&M. It has seven inversions which, in order, are:

*114-foot tall vertical loop, which wraps around the lift hill
*B&M's first-ever diving loop
*Zero-G roll
*Cobra roll (two inversions)
*Interlocking corkscrews (also a first for B&M) immediately after the block brake

"Kumba" had the most inversions of any coaster by B&M until the opening of "Dragon Khan" in 1995.

“Kumba” means “Roar” in the African Kongo Language. The coaster itself mimics this definition with a distinctive roar that the train produces as it traverses the track. It is not known if this was a design feature or an incidental though appropriate aspect of the ride. Most likely, the cause of this roar is due to the track design. Similar to other Bolliger & Mabillard roller coasters, the track contains a hollow spine and rails, which are known to produce a roaring sound.

Initially, it is said, "Kumba" was to be part of a two-coaster project for Busch Entertainment. The company had contacted B&M to build two sit-down coasters at its Busch Gardens parks, one in Florida, the other in Williamsburg, Virginia. B&M, a young company at the time, could deliver on the one for the Florida park but not the Williamsburg park. Busch understood and handed the contract for the Williamsburg coaster to Arrow Dynamics. In 1992, a year before "Kumba" opened at Busch Gardens Tampa, sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg unveiled its Arrow creation, the ill-fated "Drachen Fire".

"Kumba", at the time of its opening, was said to have "set the industry standards".

Other roller coasters with the same name

There is another roller coaster in Israel called "Kumba" at the 'Superland Park' in Israel. However, this roller coaster is a Suspended Looping Coaster built by Vekoma.

Awards

ee also

* Busch Gardens
* Drachen Fire

External links

* [http://www.rcdb.com/id94.htm "Kumba" entrance at RCDB]
* [http://www.bgtguide.com/media/kumba/kumba_1.htm "Kumba" Photos]