[Lil_Gump]

I don't if this is true or not but RCDB.com is stating 79.5 mph as the top speed for I305.

[Chris]

I don't if this is true or not but RCDB.com is stating 79.5 mph as the top speed for I305.

http://www.rcdb.com/4520.htm

Facts: When the Intimidator 305 opened it claimed a top speed of 94 mph. Changes made to the ride in the first few months of operation limit it's speed to 79.5 mph.

Intimidator 305 is only 4 MPH faster than our Intimidator.

[Skycoastin Steve]

It would be really interesting to hear where rcdb got that information from, cause I guarantee it didn't come from Kings Dominion.

Also, it seems odd to me that they would change the speed on that site. Superman: The Escape at SFMM has never operated on a regular basis at 100 mph, but rcdb still has it listed at 100 mph. In fact, during West Coast Bash at SFMM in March, the maintenance manager told us directly that the ride averages 82-85 mph, and rcdb still has it listed at 100 mph. So something seems fishy there.

[Jonathan]

It seems incredibly fishy to me as well, but I've learned to trust Duane's sources enough over the years that I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Wow... 79mph huh? I didnt think they would slow it that much but I am sure its still a fun ride.... I want to know an official speed on both. That john pagel guy stated they would announce the speed once they had everything done. I really want to know the official speed on ours, I may just get a radar and find out..

[jasonwilson88]

After having ridden the new version 79 mph seems just about right. In a completely unscientific, but semi-useful, test I opened up the current best copy of i305 (a VERY close recreation from a user over at kdfansite) in NoLImits Sim and played around with some numbers. When I added trims down the first hill that looked to produce a similar reduction in speed and "holding back" effect down the drop, and balanced them to hit the new average speed over the top of hill 2 (obviously this is very big guesswork, but it's now a slow ride over instead of the ejector air) 78-80 mph is exactly what produces the "new" 305 ride experience in NoLimits. When the trims are on in the sim, and the max speed in the turn is 78-79, the rest of the ride matches up perfectly w/ the new experience - so I wouldn't doubt that rcdb.com is pretty close to reality if not spot on.

Carowinds' Intimidator is now pretty damn close to the same speed, maybe even matching it. 305 is no longer a giga imo - despite knowing that height is the only factor in determining "giga"ness I seriously don't believe a ride that is magnetically slowed the entire way down and doesn't crack 80mph can be called a giga coaster. Not looking to argue on the semantics of gigas - 305 doesn't qualify for me until the first drop is restored - which isn't ever happening.

[jasonwilson88]

I'm not going to post the link to a recently posted personal POV on a massively popular video site... but it's a sad thing to see. If I wasn't so lazy, and there wasn't a ban on said videos, I would do a before and after of Alvey's high-def pov and this. Shocking.

If you want to see what it's like grab NoLimits (awesome thing to own anyways) and the widely available .nlpack file - and use the previously posted photo of trims and the settings to achieve a 79 mph speed. The illicit video matches up perfectly and further confirms the now-worsened final neck-chop (at the photo) with everyone in the train screaming "OUCH!" in unison.

[Dude]

I thought Intimidator reaches 80 mph so doesn't that mean that ours is faster by what .5 mph! haha

[KenB]

Man, I sure am sorry we got that B&M hyper here at Carowinds. Just look at all the drama, insanity and sheer LULZ that we've missed out on by not getting an Intamin here.

I mean, what fun is it to go to the park, ride the ride multiple times with it's fully-functional 3 trains, go down an untrimmed drop, and not bash my head against an OTSR? How am I supposed to get on the Internet and RAGE about that??? How dare they build a fun, comfortable, functioning ride!

Ah, now I understand the purpose of trim #2 - it's to keep us from being too jealous of our Virginia brethern.

[chknwing]

ok so I finally made the 5 hour trip to Kings Dominion to ride 305. The ride is very fast but they need to lower the restraints or put some foam on them or something because you really smack you head against those in the turns. I lucked out, the rides had a 10 min wait or less including volcano until about 2pm, then the park started filling up. We got there at 10, by 12 we had ridden just about everything and headed for the water park.

[Skycoastin Steve]

Rode it 7 times today and wouldn't be surprised if 80 is now the top speed. However, the ride is still pretty awesome, and the first turn gray out is still in effect. The only REAL big change is the 2nd hill. The rest of the course still pulls major positive g's, the mini bunny hop after the 2nd hill still has great air, and now the final two hills have terrific airtime since they no longer have trims. It would be nice to have that speed back, but it is DEFINITELY more GP friendly now, which is obviously the goal for the park. I honestly don't think it's going to drop from #2 on my steel list.

On a related note, while everyone says they like the back better now, I actually experienced more forces and airtime in the front today (rode 4 times in the front half and 3 in the back half). Maybe it was just me, but I definitely think the front is better at this point.

[jasonwilson88]

The back seems more forceful than front to me now (on i305 the front was better) but they both feel horribly forceless compared to how it was meant to run.

That bunny hop after the 2nd hill used to be one of the best moments in coasting as you'd float through the air and twist to the left at 90+ mph only to be crushed into the turn with no chance to breath before the twisties.... ahhh... memories.

[Wormy]

All I can say is after weeks of reading the BS posturing, trolls, attention whores, and know-it-alls yuk it up elsewhere over this thing, I'm reminded of why I only post here.

I'm also reminded of this article (yeah, never mind the reporter). I'm sure Bart is thanking his lucky stars that they went with the "cookie cutter B&M" .

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fu ... winds.html

[Jetp]

I rode 305 back in early May and agree some previous comments.

I browned out both times on the first curve and that was about the only thrill for me. Personally I thought it was rough and didn't like being jerked back and forth when the track changed directions. Because of the shoulder harness, I came off the coaster sore.

Definitely prefer Intimidator at Carowinds.

[Jarsh]

I browned out both times...

So you are powered by electricity now?