Steel Venom

Built by Intamin AG, this coaster uses a LIM (linear induction motor) launch.  Intamin calls this design an "Impulse" coaster.  This ride (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's LaQua Amusement Park.  The only difference between the two rides is that Linear Gale doesn't have an in-line twist like on the spike shown below.

©2009 by Joel A. Rogers