Star Trekking: 08-21-09: Dale Earnhardt Lives On In Intimidator
"There are millions of fans that still honor their racing hero and this is a very real way for them to connect...," notes a spokesperson for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Connect with what? He's talking about Intimidator 305, the most exciting ride to come to the Kings Dominion theme park in its 35-year history.
Coaster fans should mark the spring of 2010 for their trip to Doswell, Viriginia, located right off Exit 98 on Interstate 95, 20 miles north of Richmond, Virginia and 75 miles south of Washington, DC.
The vague date of "spring" is when the amusement park will introduce a mammoth 5,100-foot-long steel Giga-coaster. Intimidator 305 takes its name from Earnhardt, one of stock car racing's most beloved and tenacious drivers, known as "The Intimidator." To underscore its impressive altitude, Kings Dominion added the height of the thrill ride's lift hill, 305 feet, to the end of the name.
Said to be only the second Giga-coaster ever built in North America, Intimidator 305 is counting on being the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast. The lift hill will stand 305 feet at its highest peak; descend 300 feet at an 85 degree-angle and thunder along the track at speeds in excess of 90mph during its three minute race to the finish. The trains, fashioned after Dale Earnhardt's signature black car, will roar through six airtime humps plus three high-speed turns.
At a cost of $25 million, the park's 15th World-class roller coaster, designed by Intamin AG of Wollerau, Switzerland, is its single largest capital investment. Kings Dominion guests will have the opportunity to see the ride being built from the ground up in the Congo section, by visiting the park at 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047. Instead of holding your breath till spring, tune in to the online webcam, set up to overlook the entire work site.
Those who cannot wait until 2010 may take a virtual ride on Intimidator 305, access exclusive updates, features, virtual renderings, ride statistics, and more at www.intimidator305.com. Or just grab a peak at this very cool video:
