originally posted on 2/3/2025
During the tail end of 2024, Maurer Rides announced its latest Spike Coaster model: Space Odyssey. Riders on Spike Coasters sit in the motorcycle riding position and use controls to influence the speed of their rides.
These vehicles, which have 1.5 horsepower in their Adaptive Spike Motor (ASM) control system, exceed the power density of a Formula 1 car, according to Maurer Rides. Maurer also claims that this adaptive power transmission system leads to lower maintenance and power consumption costs.
In the case of Space Odyssey, Maurer is taking its typical Spike Coaster and adding a few twists! The preview video shows two dueling tracks that each appear to have specialty lighting applied underneath (to give the impression of a futuristic racetrack, not unlike the classic video games WipeOut or F-Zero). Sometimes, these lighted sections also have arrows that appear to help accelerate the coaster (just like in those games).
The tracks also include occasional neon rings to give headchopper moments, and the two tracks are heavy in the “twister” camp, with their intertwined layouts making for an impressive and imposing-looking attraction in a 131-by-230-foot footprint that most parks could easily accommodate.
The pitch video also shows a moment of rollback with reacceleration, which seems to be the finale of the ride. With riders being able to control their speed, this is a unique combination of video game-style racing on an actual racing coaster.
— Josh Hughes
#ACENews