Steel Venom

Built by Intamin AG, this coaster uses a LIM (linear induction motor) launch.  Intamin calls this design an "Impulse" coaster.  This ride (Steel Venom now, but previously known as Superman Ultimate Escape) wasn't the first of its kind.  About a year before this one, a coaster called Linear Gale opened in Japan.  The only difference between the two rides is that Linear Gale doesn't have an in-line twist like on the spike shown below.

©2008 by Joel A. Rogers