Breakdance (ride)

The Breakdance is an amusement park ride, designed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1985. Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi-permanent, or permanent forms.

Design and operation

A Breakdance consists of a dodecagonal platform with a diameter of 20 meters. On this platform are mounted four hubs, each bearing four two-person cars. The entire ride is on an incline of 7.5°. When the ride is activated, the platform rotates, the hubs rotate in the opposite direction to the platform. The combination of the platform slope, hub movement, and weight displacement within the cars cause them to rock back and forth, the oblique join mount and the motion of the ride allowing the cars to rotate through 360°. Huss recommends that riders be a minimum of 48" tall with an adult and over 54" tall to ride alone on all models except for the Rodeo/Breakdance 4 variant; on this model riders must be at least 42" tall.

Breakdances incorporate backdrops, and the provision for sound systems, elaborate light displays, and special effects equipment is made. Controls for these additional systems can easily be routed through the operator's console.

Travelling versions of this ride can be dissassembled and stowed on two 40 ft trailers, one for the ride itself, the other carrying the platforms, backdrop, special effects equipment and ticketbox.

Variants

The success of the design has prompted HUSS to manufacture three additional variants to the Breakdance design. These are:
* Breakdance 2 - Six four-car hubs are installed on the 20 m platform.
* Breakdance 3 - The platform is reduced to 18 m in diameter, and the slope of the platform is significantly reduced. No backdrop is sold with this ride, which in combination with the size and slope reductions, significantly reduces the overall weight of the ride. The 8 ton difference makes this variant popular for transportable operations.
* Breakdance 4 - Also known as a Rodeo, this variant removes the platform entirely. Instead, three four-car hubs are connected to the central motor by exposed arms. There is no slope to the ride. It is much better suited for families than the other variants.

Although officially a different ride and not a variant of Breakdance, after the success of Breakdance HUSS developed the Booster ride, which takes the idea a step further. It did not, however, gain the kind of success that Breakdance did.
*Booster

imilar rides

Rides almost identical to the Breakdance have been produced by other companies. Below are listed the companies, with the ride name in brackets.
* Safeco ("Blade Runner")
* Sobema ("Break Dance")
* Fabbri ("Crazy Dance")
* Top Fun ("Magic Dance")
* Nauta Bussink ("Star Dancer")

Appearances

Over 110 Breakdances have been manufactured by HUSS, the vast majority of which are still in operation.
* Australia - There are 5 Breakdances in Australia; four transportable models and "Spider" at Luna Park Sydney.
* Belgium - There are 3 Breakdances in Belgium, 3 transportable
* Canada - At least two, at Playland and La Ronde.
* Germany - There are at least 46 Breakdances operating in Germany.
* Israel - "Breakdancer" at Luna Park, Tel Aviv.
* The Netherlands - There are 5 transportable Breakdances in The Netherlands; 1 transportable stardancer owned by Frank Vale; one stardancer at Drievliet
*United States - "Rodeo" at Six Flags over Texas is a Breakdance 4, "Crazy Dance" portable model owned by Midway Of Fun, "Break Dance" at Astroland, "Hollywood and Vine" at Denver's Elitch Gardens, "Whirling Dervish" at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom; also, the "Crazy Dance" mobile carnival ride was also featured in the 1991 movie "Problem Child 2". "Wipe Out" at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an indoor/enclosed Breakdance 4, as well as Spongebob's Boat Mobiles at California's Great America, though not enclosed.
* Hungary - At least one, at Vidám Park.

External links

* Technical specifications available at [http://www.hussrides.com/ HUSS Maschinenfabrik's website]
* [http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/rides/breakdance/ Amusement Ride Extravaganza - Breakdance]
* [http://www.amusementvideo.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5db0d477d707121934ff a video of a huss breakdance onride]