Ever since La Marcus Adna Thompson patented the first roller coaster in 1885, after expanding an idea from a 'Gravity Road' in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, USA, where coal workers used a humped track to deliver coal, which was later realised to have a thrill-seeking appeal, people have been fascinated, excited and wonderfully terrified by roller coasters. For our adventure-seeking dare devils, I disclose the record-breaking roller coasters from around the globe.
For a huge amount of people roller coasters are the ultimate thrill ride. People ride to overcome their fears about their speed, twists and turns, rises and drops, the seemingly 'end of the track' feeling and in some cases the loops, to create a sense of accomplishment and to culminate by creating the perfect adrenaline rush.
The top three record-breaking steel roller coasters for the categories of tallest, fastest, longest, longest drop, and steepest angle of descent, according to UltimateRollercoaster.com are:
Tallest Roller Coaster and Location
- Kingda Ka - 456 ft at Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey, Jackson, USA
- Top Thrill Dragster - 420 ft at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
- Steel Dragon -318 ft at Nagashima Spa Land, Mie, Japan
Fastest Roller Coaster and Location
- Kingda Ka - 128 mph at Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey, Jackson, USA
- Top Thrill Dragster - 120 mph at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
- Dodonpa - 106.8 mph at Fuji-Q Highland, FujiYoshida-shi, Japan
Longest Roller Coaster and Location
- Steel Dragon - 8,133 ft at Nagashima Spa Land, Mie, Japan
- The Ultimate - 7,450 ft at Lightwater Valley, UK
- Fujiyama - 6,709 ft at Fuji-Q Highland, FujiYoshida-shi, Japan
Longest Drop of a Roller Coaster and Location
- Kingda Ka - 418 ft at Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey, Jackson, USA
- Top Thrill Dragster - 400 ft at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
- Steel Dragon - 306 ft at Nagashima Spa Land, Mie, Japan
Steepest Descent Angle of a Roller Coaster and Location
- Vild-Svinet - 97 degrees at BonBon Land, Holme-Olstrup, Denmark
- Typhoon - 97 degrees at Bobbejaanland Family Park, Lichtaart, Belgium
- Speed: No Limits - 97 degrees at Oakwood, Pembrokeshire, UK
Designs, Features and Aims of the Roller Coaster
In order to apply to be a record-breaker in the steel roller coasters categories, the roller coaster must be a complete circuit and have steel tracks.
Roller coasters come in many different forms including steel, wood and shuttle. They can also vary in seating. Nowadays, instead of the ordinary sitting in a 'car' position, riders can also experience sitting in seats which hang under the track, which gives a feeling of flying, as well as being more out of control.
Inventors and designers are constantly updating roller coaster designs, producing ever higher and faster rides to entice the public to push their mental and physical capabilities to the limit. All competing to achieve the ultimate in roller coaster experiences.
Marcia Stachini - Hi. I am a married mother of three, and live in southern England. I have a passion for writing and hope to give my readers reassurance and ...
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