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Kings Dominion to Introduce $25 Million Steel Giga-Coaster In 2010
The most exciting ride in Kings Dominion’s 35-year history opened to the public April 2, 2010, as the amusement park introduced a mammoth 5,100-foot long steel Giga-coaster. Intimidator 305 takes its name from one of stock car racing’s most beloved and tenacious drivers, Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator™” along with the height of the coaster’s lift hill, 305 feet.
Intimidator 305, only the second Giga-coaster ever built in North America, is the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast. The lift hill stands a towering 305 feet at its highest peak; descends 300 feet at an 85 degree-angle and thunders along the track at 94 miles per hour during its three minute race to the finish. The trains, fashioned after Dale Earnhardt’s signature black car, roar through six airtime humps plus three high-speed turns and the experience will have guests screaming for another lap around the track.
“Intimidator 305 represents the single largest capital investment in the history of Kings Dominion,” said
Pat Jones, Kings Dominion’s vice president and general manager. “The numbers speak for themselves. At a cost of $25 million, and with a first drop close to the height of the park’s landmark Eiffel Tower; you’ll have to see this coaster to believe it.” With speeds reaching 94 mph Intimidator 305 is the fastest gravity driven coaster in North America. Jones added, “The ride experience is as intense as it is exhilarating.” The coaster will be located in the park’s Congo section and becomes Kings Dominion’s 15th world-class roller coaster.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has partnered with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, owners of Kings Dominion, to bring the massive coaster to life. “We’re excited to see this new roller coaster celebrate the speed and intensity of the legendary career of Dale Earnhardt,” said
Jeff Steiner, executive vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “there are millions of fans that still honor their racing hero and this is a very real way for them to connect with the spirit and passion of the Intimidator™.”
IntaRide, Glen Burnie, MD, a recognized industry leader in roller coaster development, designed Intimidator 305. The ride is scheduled to open April 2, 2010.
For more information on Intimidator 305 visit www.intimidator305.com.
About Kings Dominion
Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Kings Dominion, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six waterparks, one indoor waterpark resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.