Twist (ride)

The Twist, also known as the "Twister", "Cyclone", "Sizzler", "Scrambler" or "Grasscutter" is an amusement ride in which suspended riders spinning in cars experience the illusion that they will crash into other suspended, spinning cars. Riders are seated in small carriages clustered together and connected by beams at the top to a central point. The clustered vehicles are spun in one direction, while the ride as a whole spins in the opposite direction.

The minimum height requirement is 36 inches; anyone under 48 inches tall must ride with a responsible person.

In Australia there are two versions of the ride one being The Sizzler, which always has a more menacing demeanor, while the Cha Cha looks to be more for the kids, while actually the Cha Cha goes much faster than The Sizzler, both rides have the same function, the paint jobs and the cart shapes distinguish the two.

Twist Types

There are two different types of the twist ride, grasscutter and sizzler.

Grasscutter Twist

A grasscutter twist has a basic frame shape and no platform. This type of twist is extremely popular in the USA, where it is known as the "Scrambler".

*Scrambler--These rides usually have a circular structure near the top of the ride. There are vertical bars that go around the top along with lights on them. For the most part, these rides are made by the Eli Bridge Company.

*Wisdom's Sizzler--This ride does not have a platform, but it still has thick arms. The top of the ride has 3 twisted metal structures. There are also lights all over the ride including the cars. This ride goes much faster than the Scrambler or the Wisdom's Super Sizzler. These are popular in the US, but are no longer made by Wisdom.

izzler Twist

A Sizzler twist are twists which have thicker arms and a platform. It was when these type started being manufactured, the manufacturers concentrated on the ride aesthetics.

*Bennett & Pollards--These rides have a smaller circumference from the center of the ride to the seats. They are similar to Scrambler-type rides because they also have cylinder structures on top of the ride.

*PWS Sizzler, Sonacase Twister, & Twist--These rides each have a platform, but they do not have objects near the top of the ride such such as a cylinder structure. There are lights all around the center structure of the ride. Thus, these rides look similar.

*Wisdom's Family Sizzler--this ride has thick arms and a platform, along with a central structure with dazzling lights. It has wheels to guide the three pods along underneath, and is quite fast when compared to a "Grasscutter Twist." They are found mostly at indoor fun centers and are the only type of Sizzler being made by Wisdom.

*Wisdom's Super Sizzler--This ride has a platform, and it looks similar to the Sizzler. Another difference is that it goes backwards, and this ride also has a backdrop with some colorful art. Wisdom has recently stopped making this type of Twist ride.

Links

* [http://www.atfotf.com/twist.html All the Fun of the Fair Twists] A database of traveling twists in the UK with pictures.
* [http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/twist.html Twist History] At the National Fairground Archive

Ride Manufacturer Sites

* [http://www.elibridge.com/index.html Eli Bridge Company]
* [http://www.sonacase-arm.com/ Sonacase LTD]
* [http://www.wisdomrides.com/catalog/ Wisdom Rides]