From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:47 pm EDT

The Intimidator 305! It's Dale Earnhardt, in rollercoaster form!

By Jay Busbee

If you live anywhere within a thousand miles of Richmond, Virginia, get ready to get doused with awesomeness! In the spring of 2010, the amusement park Kings Dominion will introduce the Intimidator 305! And get this -- it's only the second Giga-Coaster built in the United States! I don't know what the hell that means, but it sounds awesome! And extreme! It'll be ... aw-treme!

Here are the deets. The coaster will rise 305 feet in the air (hence the "305" moniker), will shoot almost straight downward 300 feet, and hit 90+ mph as it goes. Riders get to ride in train cars fashioned after the Intimidator's classic No. 3. I find it a huge disappointment that you don't get to spin out a Terry Labonte coaster car along the way, but you take what you can get, I guess.

You can check out the progress of the coaster's construction by visiting its website right here. And be sure to take a virtual ride on the coaster by clicking here. Prepare to be ... Intimidated!

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39 Comments

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  1. packerd_00
    1. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:07 pm EDT

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    Frevic-Youll probably be the first to get a crack at that ride.
  2. packerd_00
    2. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:09 pm EDT

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    Anyone else here love Roller coasters like me.
  3. brinirmess
    3. Posted by brinirmess Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:10 pm EDT

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    90+ mph?. What's intimidating about that?
  4. Oliver Klosov
    4. Posted by Oliver Klosov Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:18 pm EDT

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    ...my oldest son (almost 18) goes to KD 2/3-times a week - he says he walks by just to see how things are progressing and cannot wait to ride it... I, on the otherhand, get sick watching the merry-go-round... yes... watching it!!
  5. MarkN
    5. Posted by MarkN Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:21 pm EDT

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    Hey Packerd how are you doing did you get your season tickets to the Vikings yet? Only kidding.
  6. Carol
    6. Posted by Carol Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:24 pm EDT

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    I would so love to ride that! Nice, old fashioned cars to sit in and a floor beneath your feet.... Can't even consider the ones where they dangle you; oh my no.
  7. Carol
    7. Posted by Carol Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:27 pm EDT

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    Hubby sez there are too many right turns!
  8. Jay Busbee
    8. Posted by Jay Busbee Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:31 pm EDT

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    Seriously, check out that video. Get your face right close to the screen, turn up the volume ... very cool.
  9. Carol
    9. Posted by Carol Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Jay i think they're having a bandwidth issue. We're gonna crash 'em. The sound is pretty glitchy even at low res.
  10. Termite
    10. Posted by Termite Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:42 pm EDT

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    Breakdown of Height and Terms....
    Over 400ft tall - Mega Coaster
    Over 300ft, but under 400ft tall - Giga Coaster
    Over 200ft, but under 300ft tall - Hyper Coaster
    I predict that Opening Day 2010 will be April 5, 2010 - If Intimidator 305 is ready then, I'll be there!
  11. Termite
    11. Posted by Termite Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:43 pm EDT

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    Breakdown of Height and Terms....
    Over 400ft tall is a Mega Coaster
    Over 300ft, but under 400ft tall is a Giga Coaster
    Over 200ft, but under 300ft tall is a Hyper Coaster
    I predict that Opening Day 2010 will be April 5, 2010 . If Intimidator 305 is ready then, I'll be there!
  12. packerd_00
    12. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:47 pm EDT

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    MarkN-Im good Brett Favre what a dipsh!t Packers fans arent real fans if they dont support him yet he's the one joining are arch rival and has said he wants revenge on us that is rich.
    You ever ride one of the old wooden rides, those are nuts.
  13. packerd_00
    13. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:54 pm EDT

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    MarkN-I really couldnt see Troy or Emmitt saying something like that about Cowboys fans,that just shows the difference in class.
  14. RICK C
    14. Posted by RICK C Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:25 pm EDT

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    Sad virtual ride. But, when you get up to the top...you can see Russia !
  15. howboutdemSaints-mp
    15. Posted by howboutdemSaints-mp Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:41 pm EDT

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    Hahahahaha rick
  16. brinirmess
    16. Posted by brinirmess Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    Texas Cyclone all wooden, speed, and still the best I've ever rode.
  17. kinggeorge
    17. Posted by kinggeorge Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

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    I peed my pants on the simulator. The front car ride is b!tchin!
    I'm with you Carol, I prefer the traditional coasters too.
  18. Oliver Klosov
    18. Posted by Oliver Klosov Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    ...that ain't Russia - that's Fredericksburg!!
  19. Beer Is My Anti-Drug
    19. Posted by Beer Is My Anti-Drug Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    Anyone else thinking maybe of a "MarbleHeads Day at Kings Dominion when this ride opens up? I'd for sure pile the family in the pick-up and be on the gas and kickin a$$ to Richmond!
    (side note: the first Giga Coaster in the states is Millenium Force at Cedar Point here in scenic Ohio. Stupid name, Killer ride!)
  20. Kdiggity
    20. Posted by Kdiggity Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    virgina is 2 states away i am there.... I love roller coasters!!!!
  21. HOOK
    21. Posted by HOOK Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    That is awesome..
  22. Dani
    22. Posted by Dani Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

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    Looks like a fun ride for all that love roller coasters!
  23. packerd_00
    23. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:16 pm EDT

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    brini-We have a real old Wooden coaster at the theme park I go to its been their since the place opended pretty much , its called the "Mighty Canadian Minebuster" as soon as you hit top you can already feel your heartdrop.
  24. packerd_00
    24. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    brini-So they closed the Texas Cyclone down with the Park eh! where do you guys go know.
  25. Robert
    25. Posted by Robert Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:10 pm EDT

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    Termite: you got it right except but a coaster that is over 400 and under 500 is a stratacoaster. Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure are the only two in the world.

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