"Floorless SheiKra Raises the Bar on Thrills as the
Bottom Drops Out On America's First Dive Coaster"
SheiKra s legendary 200-foot, 90-degree vertical dive takes on
a different point of view with new, floorless cars
Tampa, FL (January 31, 2007)
Two years ago, Busch Gardens Africa introduced the
world to a one-of-a-kind experience: 200 feet up, 90 degrees straight down. And that
was just the beginning.
On June 16, the adventure park will reintroduce SheiKra to the world with a new
twist: floorless cars that allow riders an unobstructed view of the 70 mph rush.
When SheiKra opened in May 2005, it signaled a new era in American roller
coasters. As the nation s first dive coaster and only the third in the world, SheiKra raised
the bar with first-of-a-kind elements like a true 90-degree drop, an Immelmann loop and
a second vertical dive into an underground tunnel. Now, technology has raised that bar
even higher, introducing SheiKra s fans to an even greater thrill.
Mechanically, SheiKra s track will remain unchanged, with its combination of
drops, inversions and a water feature finale. Psychologically, though, the effect of the
floorless cars will be intense: SheiKra s cars will continue to seat eight passengers
across, three rows deep, but riders will no longer be able to brace themselves for
Florida s No. 1 thrill ride against the floor of the car. With the front rail gone, passengers
in the first row, especially, will be completely exposed as they come over the crest of
SheiKra s signature 200-foot, 90-degree plunge.
Guests last day to experience SheiKra in its current form will be Memorial Day,
May 28. The following day, America s first dive coaster will close for approximately three
weeks for the floorless conversion construction.
The coaster s existing seats and shoulder harnesses will be fitted into new
chassis that support only the chairs above and the wheels below. Between each row of
seats will be nothing but open air.
The bulk of the changes occur at the loading platform, where retractable floors
and handrails will be installed. As each floorless car comes into the station, the floors will
raise into position, filling the gaps between the rows so that passengers may board. A
pivoting handrail will swing into place in front of the car to assist those boarding the first
row.
Through the years, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has set the standard for thrill
rides, and I m confident guests will agree that the park has raised the bar yet again with
floorless SheiKra, said Dan Brown, executive vice president and general manager,
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. SheiKra s enhancement, along with its unprecedented
ride features, really reinforce Busch Gardens standing as Florida s foremost adventure
destination.
The Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San
Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Europe and Water
Country USA in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; and Sesame Place near Philadelphia. To
learn more about the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, visit www.4adventure.com or call toll-free
(800)4ADVENTURE.
Bottom Drops Out On America's First Dive Coaster"
SheiKra s legendary 200-foot, 90-degree vertical dive takes on
a different point of view with new, floorless cars
Tampa, FL (January 31, 2007)
Two years ago, Busch Gardens Africa introduced the
world to a one-of-a-kind experience: 200 feet up, 90 degrees straight down. And that
was just the beginning.
On June 16, the adventure park will reintroduce SheiKra to the world with a new
twist: floorless cars that allow riders an unobstructed view of the 70 mph rush.
When SheiKra opened in May 2005, it signaled a new era in American roller
coasters. As the nation s first dive coaster and only the third in the world, SheiKra raised
the bar with first-of-a-kind elements like a true 90-degree drop, an Immelmann loop and
a second vertical dive into an underground tunnel. Now, technology has raised that bar
even higher, introducing SheiKra s fans to an even greater thrill.
Mechanically, SheiKra s track will remain unchanged, with its combination of
drops, inversions and a water feature finale. Psychologically, though, the effect of the
floorless cars will be intense: SheiKra s cars will continue to seat eight passengers
across, three rows deep, but riders will no longer be able to brace themselves for
Florida s No. 1 thrill ride against the floor of the car. With the front rail gone, passengers
in the first row, especially, will be completely exposed as they come over the crest of
SheiKra s signature 200-foot, 90-degree plunge.
Guests last day to experience SheiKra in its current form will be Memorial Day,
May 28. The following day, America s first dive coaster will close for approximately three
weeks for the floorless conversion construction.
The coaster s existing seats and shoulder harnesses will be fitted into new
chassis that support only the chairs above and the wheels below. Between each row of
seats will be nothing but open air.
The bulk of the changes occur at the loading platform, where retractable floors
and handrails will be installed. As each floorless car comes into the station, the floors will
raise into position, filling the gaps between the rows so that passengers may board. A
pivoting handrail will swing into place in front of the car to assist those boarding the first
row.
Through the years, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has set the standard for thrill
rides, and I m confident guests will agree that the park has raised the bar yet again with
floorless SheiKra, said Dan Brown, executive vice president and general manager,
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. SheiKra s enhancement, along with its unprecedented
ride features, really reinforce Busch Gardens standing as Florida s foremost adventure
destination.
The Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San
Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Europe and Water
Country USA in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; and Sesame Place near Philadelphia. To
learn more about the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, visit www.4adventure.com or call toll-free
(800)4ADVENTURE.
Video Broadcast of the announcement can be found here
I dunno, its going to feel pretty bare dangling 200 ft in the air.[:D]