Fury 325, the tallest, fastest, and longest giga roller coaster in North America, reopened on Thursday after being closed for more than a month due to a crack in its support beam. The crack was discovered by an eagle-eyed guest who alerted the park staff and the local fire department on June 30. The video of the crack went viral online, showing a gap in the steel column as the roller coaster zoomed by at 95 mph.
The crack was located near the top of the 325-foot tall structure, which is equivalent to the height of a 32-story building. The park officials said that the crack did not pose any immediate danger to the riders or the public, but they decided to close the ride as a precautionary measure. They also contacted the manufacturer of the ride, Bolliger & Mabillard, to inspect and repair the damage.
A Comprehensive Repair and Testing Process
The park said that the repair and testing process was comprehensive and involved multiple steps. The manufacturer fabricated a new steel support beam, which was installed on the ride. The ride was then operated for more than 500 full cycles, performing tests and inspections to ensure its integrity. The park also worked closely with the North Carolina Department of Labor’s Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau, which conducted a final inspection and approved the reopening of the ride on August 10.
The park thanked the guests for their patience and understanding during the closure of Fury 325. They also expressed their gratitude to the manufacturer, the state agency, and the local authorities for their assistance and cooperation. The park said that they are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for their visitors.
A Thrilling Experience for Roller Coaster Fans
Fury 325 is one of the most popular attractions at Carowinds, an amusement park that straddles the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. The ride opened in 2015 and cost $30 million to build. It features a 81-degree drop, four inversions, and a top speed of 95 mph. It covers a distance of 6,602 feet and lasts for three minutes and 25 seconds.
The ride has received several awards and accolades from roller coaster enthusiasts and critics. It has been voted as the best steel roller coaster in the world by Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for six consecutive years from 2016 to 2021. It has also been ranked as one of the top roller coasters in the world by various websites and magazines.
Fury 325 is not the only giga coaster in North America. There are three others: Millennium Force at Cedar Point in Ohio, Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion in Virginia, and Orion at Kings Island in Ohio. A giga coaster is defined as a complete circuit roller coaster that is between 300 and 399 feet tall or has a drop within those boundaries.
