originally posted on 4/10/2019
Straddling the state line of North and South Carolina, Carowinds is getting a lot of love from parent company Cedar Fair these days. The momentum and excitement generated by the addition of the über-popular Fury 325 Bolliger & Mabillard giga coaster in 2015 firmly established the southern themer as a must-do destination for coaster fans.
And then there are Carowinds’ new-for-2019 additions: an on-site Springhill Suites by Marriott and a new major roller coaster –– Copperhead Strike. Billed as the Carolinas’ “First Double Launch Coaster,” Copperhead Strike was supplied by Germany’s Mack Rides, a major player in the amusement industry that continues to impress with each new steel coaster installation.
Photo: Josh Herrington. View full-sized image.
And Copperhead Strike IS impressive. What it may lack in imposing height stats like Fury or Intimidator, this devilish serpent compensates with sheer unpredictability and a layout so compact and convoluted that it is virtually impossible to unravel unless viewed from the air. Copperhead was built near the former location of the park’s first launch coaster, White Lightnin’, a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop (1977-88) that still operates today as Golden Loop at South Africa’s Gold Reef City.
But before guests reach the actual coaster, they are understandably captivated by the attention to thematic detail surrounding Copperhead Strike courtesy of The Weber Group. The attraction’s whimsical backstory –– Granny Byrd and her award-winning “recipe” ( there’s more than just jam in her copper vats) –– is wonderfully illustrated with physical structures, humorous signage and props. These attributes –– several of which pay homage to beloved lost rides like Thunder Road and White Lightnin’ –– all serve to entertain guests in the queue of what is destined to be an extremely popular attraction.
Photo: Robert Ulrich. View full-sized image.
Like the pit viper after which it is named, Copperhead Strike does not hesitate once engaged; it gets to the action straight away, giving riders very little time to anticipate what lies ahead. From the platform, the four-car (16-seat) train immediately slithers into the jojo roll, an ever-so-slow inline twist maneuver that induces screaming from unsuspecting riders while simultaneously removing unsecured carry-on items. From there, a tight 180-degree right turn leads into the barn, where the train is held for a few seconds. (Note: this enclosure is positively loaded with a host of thematic details that require multiple rides to appreciate.) With no warning, the linear synchronous motors (LSMs) fire and riders are instantly propelled forward (0-42 mph in 2.5 seconds) into the first vertical loop. But instead of rocketing through this element, Copperhead likes to play with its prey: at the apex of the inversion, the train slows to a crawl, gleefully dangling riders upside down in a most unnerving manner. This instance of pronounced hang time is shocking to many first-timers as is illustrated by the additional screaming and expletives echoing across the midway.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Scott Rutherford. View full-sized image.
Upon exiting the vertical loop, the train rips over a delightful airtime-inducing camelback followed by a quick corkscrew. A series of tightly banked turns leads into what is arguably Copperhead Strike’s standout sequence. Still traveling at 35 mph, the train drops into the second set of LSMs, which are cleverly located on a low-profile speed hill. As the train accelerates to its top speed of 50 mph, riders are treated to a double-up of sorts that culminates in an 82-foot inverted top hat element. After a momentary pause with more hang time (and more screaming), the train plummets to the ground and negotiates a high-speed left turn that flows into the final inversion (a vertical loop). But it isn’t over yet. Angling skyward once more, riders deftly thread the center of the first vertical loop and then whip over a surprisingly intense drop-turn-hill combo.
Photo: Scott Rutherford. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The remainder of the layout is composed of a confounding assortment of low-to-the-ground banked turns that thoroughly disorient riders before treating them to a wicked airtime-filled speed bump that hops into the brake run. Spontaneous bouts of cheers and clapping ensue with each returning train.
As expected, Copperhead Strike is a smooth, pleasurable adventure. Despite its aggressive, rapid-fire transitions, the track’s expert design and fabrication work in harmony to produce a coaster fully conducive to multiple re-rides. Accentuating this aspect are the trains, which are quite comfortable thanks to Mack’s innovative, unobtrusive restraint system. This degree of rider freedom only serves to enhance the overall experience.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Copperhead Strike anchors the park’s newest area, Blue Ridge Junction. Situated between the South Gate entrance and Carolina Harbor Waterpark, the new addition includes a much-needed link between the Crossroads and County Fair areas of the park. This pathway opens up a previous dead end near the bumper cars and former entrance to Thunder Road, the park’s popular wooden racing coaster that was unfortunately removed in 2015 for a waterpark expansion.
The introduction of Blue Ridge Junction also sees the return of the park’s beloved Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooters. After a one-year absence, this historic flyer, which operated at Ohio’s Coney Island and Kings Island, takes to the skies as the Mountain Gliders. Blue Ridge Junction is also home to a new restaurant, Blue Ridge Country Kitchen, as well as an inviting outdoor fireplace surrounded by rocking chairs.
Many thanks to Cedar Fair for bringing the launch coaster experience back to the Carolinas. Copperhead Strike is yet another enviable addition to Carowinds’ stellar lineup of world-class roller coasters. One can only wonder what’s next …
— Scott Rutherford
@#$%&!
#ACENews