Raptor (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster
name =Raptor


caption ="Raptor's" lift hill and 100 foot (30.48 m) vertical loop
location =Cedar Point
construction =Steel
type2=Inverted
status =Operating
opened =May 7, 1994
manufacturer =Bolliger & Mabillard
designer =Werner Stengel
model =Inverted coaster
track =
lift =Chain lift hill
height =137
drop =119
length =3790
speed =57
inversions =6
duration =2:32 (source: Ride SOP Manual)
angle =45
capacity =1,858
cost =$11.5 Million
acceleration =
gforce =
restriction =54
rcdb_number=1

"Raptor" is a steel inverted roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, "Raptor" opened in May 1994 and was the first inverted roller coaster to feature a "cobra roll". Still beloved more than a decade after its debut, Amusement Today [ [http://www.amusementtoday.com/image/GoldenTicket2006.pdf GoldenTicket2006.indd ] ] ranked "Raptor" the 19th best steel roller coaster in the world in 2007. When it was built, "Raptor" was the world's tallest and fastest inverted coaster (the "Raptor" layout proved to be the largest and most advanced for a B&M inverted coaster, following the initial design and Six Flags' subsequent cloning of “Batman The Ride,” which debuted in 1992 with a two train operation). "Raptor" is the 11th roller coaster (since "Blue Streak" opened in 1964) to be built at Cedar Point in the modern era. This giant green coaster stands tall over the main midway [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbKj-deJsDA] , and is the first coaster park guests come to upon entering the park through the main entrance. The logo depicts an unidentified modern bird of prey, not a velociraptor.

Ride Elements

*100 foot tall loop
*1 Zero G roll
*Cobra Roll
*2 corkscrews
*540 degree helix finale

Operations Data & Ride History

* Each train weighs 16,000 pounds empty.
* If the platform crew is working efficiently, a train should leave the station every 45 seconds.
* If maximum capacity is being utilized, each train should travel the circuit 19 times an hour.
* "Raptor" opened with a ride time of 2 minutes and 16 seconds. In the late 90s, the ride duration was extended to 2 minutes and 32 seconds, after the ride maintenance department slowed down the chain speed of the lift hill (the stats on the official Cedar Point web site still reflect the opening statistics). It currently takes approximately 30 seconds to ascend the lift hill.
* There are five "blocks" or five sections of track that a train will move through during the ride. Each one of these blocks is monitored by a complex computer system that uses photo eye sensors and proximity switches to ensure trains stay a safe distance from each other (keep an open eye out for the bright green boxes attached to the track. These are the proximity switches that sense the presence of a moving train and then report the car's location to the ride computer). Fact|date=December 2007
* "Raptor" will not operate empty in winds stronger than 20 mph. "Raptor" will not operate loaded in wind speeds greater than 30 mph. Fact|date=December 2007
* When trains leave the station, riders descend 7 feet before engaging "Raptor's" 137-foot tall lift.
* Each night after closing, loose change found under the "Raptor" is collected and deposited in a charity fund benefiting several Erie County, Ohio non-profit organizations. Following "Raptor's" first year of operation, $12,269 was donated to Sandusky's Ontario School (at the time, 7 Macintosh computers were purchased). Another $1,000 was donated to Sandusky's Osborne School. Fact|date=December 2007

Construction & Engineering Data

* 300 steel support columns are anchored by a cement footer, much of which is hidden 6 to 8 feet underground.
* 88 pieces of track make up "Raptor's" 3,790 feet of "electric green" rails.
* Construction began following Labor Day 1993, with the retirement of the Mill Race, the nation's second log flume ride created by Arrow Dynamics ("Raptor" also sits on a site also formally occupied by the Wild Mouse Roller Coaster and Cedar Point Monorail, dubbed "Midnite"). A promo commercial was made that same year, showing the construction and statistics of the ride.
* The price tag of "Raptor" was estimated at $12 million. That figure was later revised to $11.5 million after a design revision.
*The oldest ride at Cedar Point, the Midway Carousel, was relocated to the front of the park following the 1993 season to make way for "Raptor". A new pavilion now houses the merry go round.

Awards

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/coasters/raptor/index.cfm "Raptor's" Page at Cedar Point.com]