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Stealth: n. Avoiding
detection by moving carefully.
 In
Short:
Stealth
is Thorpe Park's big icon ride- an 80mph launched 'Coaster.
Statistics:
Opened: 2006
Manufacturer: Intamin
Area: Amity Cove
Ride Type: Rocket ' Coaster
On Ride Photo: Yes
Official Rating: Extreme Thrills
Photos:
TTP
Review:
Stealth.
If there was one word to describe this 'Coaster, Stealth would
not be it. Why Thorpe Park took the decision to go ahead with
this name, nobody will ever know. However, it did come after
a series of alleged failed names, such as "The Edge" and "Johnny
Rocket", so maybe it was a last resort... This 'Coaster
is massive, at over 200ft tall, it's noisy, using a hydraulic
launching system and it's speedy, at over 80mph. Hardly "Stealth",
then.
The
other critism comes in the design of this 'Coaster. Riders are
launched from 0 to 80 in just 2.3 seconds, are catapualted up
a 200ft near vertical incline, and drop down the same height
again the other side. They experience one final "bunny hop" before
returning to the station. Now, there are 'Coasters that use a
launch system to provide an intial thrill and then follow it
up with a great Roller Coaster ride in it's own right. Stealth
provides that initial boost, but doesn't really follow it up
with everything. It's all over in 15 seconds!
OK,
enough moaning. Aside from these two issues, Stealth is fantastic.
Thorpe Park wanted an "icon"
'Coaster - and this is truely it. It towers over everything else
in the Park and really dominates the skyline. The rush of being
thrown from 0 to 80mph in such a small space of time is indescribable,
too. The acceleration is stunning - it never falters. Just as you
think the train won't go any faster down the launch track it keeps
speeding up relentlessly, and doesn't let up until you're cresting
over the top of the Top Hat.
The
ride is comfortable, despite the high speeds the train is going
through and is very reridable. The best rides can be had sitting
in the Front Row with your hands firmly in the air!
Stealth
really hits the spot. Perhaps the most adrenaline fuelled ride
in Park, it has and will continue to bring in the visitors and
has most definitely secured Thorpe Park's place in the UK tourism
industry. Make it a "must" in your next visit.
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