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=5. Tower of Terror II – Dreamworld

Tower of Terror II

One of the two original monster launch coasters, Tower of Terror II is the fastest roller coaster in Australia at 100mph. It’s an Intamin LSM coaster, and very simply travels in an L-shape, similar to a skate boarding quarter-pipe. The magnetic launch accelerates the single car, carrying 15 people, to its top speed in 7 seconds, which is actually a comparatively slow acceleration; however because of the sheer speed and the sensation of freefall you get at the top of the tower, it is most definitely a gut wrencher.

=5. Superman: Escape from Krypton – Six Flags Magic Mountain

 Escape from Krypton from distance

Image: Jennifer Harbourn

Superman: Escape from Krypton is identical to Tower of Terror, apart from the fact that it has two parallel tracks, and it is slightly taller. The speed however remains the same, and therefore the two rides come in at a joint 7th place. In previous years, vicious rumours have circulated that Six Flags Magic Mountain ran Superman at a lower speed in order to save energy (the magnetic launch consumes masses of juice every time it launches), but since its renovation in 2011, the trains seem to travel further up the tower, suggesting it is back to its best.

4. Dodonpa – Fuji Q Highlands

Image: Fuji Q

Fuji Q has appeared 3 times across the previous two top 10 lists; however this ride hasn’t yet been mentioned. Dodonpa (the name is meaningless, but supposed to be a three syllable chant) is the second of Fuji Q’s four major roller coasters, constructed in 2001, and is by far the fastest. Dodonpa blasts riders up to 107mph in a mind-melting 1.8 seconds. This makes it the quickest accelerating ride in the world by some margin. Whereas usually a ride with this speed would burn it off by sending you up a great height, Dodonpa doesn’t, instead it banks round a huge curve and then sends you up the relatively tiny 170ft top hat. This means the hill produces almost uncomfortable airtime due to the speed. Because of its location, it’s relatively un-ridden, but this ride is arguably the most ridiculous on the planet.

3. Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point

This is the fifth appearance for Cedar Point across the three lists, and Top Thrill Dragster is still the park's signature ride. A very early Intamin accelerator coaster; Dragster catapults you to 120mph in 4 seconds, and it opened as the fastest coaster on the planet. As one of the first roller coasters to be built just for speed, it has been called a waste of energy: all it does it launch, travel up its 420 feet tower, drop down, and hit the brakes. However, this is simply unfair, it provides a rush like no other, and anything else on the end would be unnecessary.

2. Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure

 

Image: Six Flags

Much like Millennium Force's relationship to Intimidator 305, Kingda Ka is Dragster’s slightly larger counterpart. The difference, of course, is that whereas Kings Dominion and Cedar Point are owned by the same chain, Six Flags is very much a competitor to Cedar Fair. For this reason, many accused Six Flags of copying Cedar Point, which is clearly partially the case. In truth, though, it is not the parks who design the rides, but the companies behind them (Intamin and designers Stengel). Whatever your stance, Kingda Ka delivers on the thrill front, and 128mph is not to be messed with.

1. Formula Rossa – Ferrari World

Image: Ferrari World

Knocking out its closest rival by the largest margin of any other on the list is Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster. Rossa is the most recent Intamin accelerator, and hits its terminal velocity of 149mph in 4 seconds. Like Dodonpa and Ring Racer it doesn’t have a massive first hill - although it stands at a reasonably sizable 170 feet, it is made to feel small at the speed you’re going. There is a disappointing, but obviously very necessary line of brakes over this hill, and despite them you travel around the rest of the track at a swift 70mph. Formula Rossa is the ultimate example of insane wealth giving total freedom to build anything you want, and as a result I doubt we will see anything overtake it in the near future.

 
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Comments

Kingda Ka is insane!! I love that ride

wow

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