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Carowinds unveils newest, fastest rollercoaster Fury 325

By Greg Suskin, wsoctv.com
By Greg Suskin, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carowinds gave Channel 9 a preview of its newest, fastest rollercoaster early Wednesday morning -- the Fury 325.

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES: Carowinds to unveil Fury 325

Riders will board one of three 32-passenger open air trains and begin their ascent to the top of a 325-foot tall hill (over 30 stories) followed by an initial 81-degree first drop. The train then races through a series of hills, curves and quick transitions while reaching speeds of up to 95 miles per hour along 6,602 feet of track.

CHOPPER 9: First time visitors ride Fury 325 in Carowinds

Park officials gave Channel 9 a sneak peek of the giga-coaster in action before the sun came up. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony happened at 11 a.m.

COASTER CAM: Carowinds' Fury 325 first test run

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter sent video messages for the ceremony.

People could place bids to be the first riders on Fury 325. Ninety-six people won rides, and the proceeds went towards the Cam Newton Foundation. Carowinds presented an $18,320 check to the foundation.

"Coming in August, we're going to announce a big splash for 2016," one official said before the ribbon was cut.

Fury 325 is part of a planned $50 million multi-year investment to revitalize the park from top to bottom to celebrate Carolina culture.

Fury 325 by the numbers:

  • 1 - Fury 325 will be the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster
  • 2 - Carowinds will now have two of the tallest roller coasters in North America (Fury 325 and the Intimidator, which is 232 feet tall)
  • 20 - The 325-foot hill stands 20 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.
  • 63 - Seconds to climb the lift hill. No roller coaster in the world pulled by a conventional chain is taller.
  • 14 - Total rollercoasters at Carowinds. Only three parks in the world have more.
  • 400 - Trucks needed to haul the track pieces for Fury 325 to Carowinds.
  • 33 - Trucks needed just for the equipment to build the 350-foot crane that erected the Fury 325 lift hill.
  • 140 - Tons needed to counter-balance the largest crane used to build Fury 325.
  • 192 - The number of track pieces for Fury 325.
  • 15,500 - Number of high strength bolts used to assemble Fury 325.
  • 50 - Amount of engineers working for over a year on the dynamic design, engineering and fabrication drawings of the ride.
  • 8 - Number of months it took to install the ride.
  • 200 - Amount of skilled workers used to complete the ride.

IMAGES: Carowinds unveils new Fury 325

Renovations include:

  • A new guest arrival experience – A new parking toll entrance with 900 additional parking spaces will improve traffic flow and complement a new 8.2-acre main entrance plaza.
  • The SlingShot – This ride will catapult thrill-seekers nearly 300-feet into the air, providing them brief weightlessness, then rotating them head over heels.
  • New Dining Options - Carowinds new executive chef and culinary team have completely revamped dining options throughout the park with all-time Carolina favorites adding over 45 new menu items this season.
  • Taste of the Carolinas – Guests will be able to eat, drink and experience the best of what the Carolinas have to offer in this signature new food festival on Saturdays & Sundays, April 18 – May 17.

The park opens this weekend.

Be sure to follow WSOC on Twitter for updates from the event.
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