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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A crowd gathered at Carowinds Thursday listened with excitement as an amusement park leader told them, “If you thought Intimidator was big, think again. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, Fury: 325!
Carowinds is making the largest single investment in park history in bringing “Fury” to the Carolinas. The ride, which will cover nearly eight and a half acres, is expected to open in March 2015 after construction wraps on the 6,602 feet of steel track.
Carowinds VP/GM Michael Fehnel says, “The first drop is 81 degrees, which is almost straight down, and 3 minutes and 25 seconds long, so it’s a very long thrill ride.”
“Fury” will race at speeds of 95 miles per hour and reach heights up to 30 stories, making it more than 100 feet taller than the Intimidator. Joel Bullock, a roller coaster expert and blogger, says, “This is gonna be at the top of my list of things to do next year.” Bullock predicts Fury will bring fans from across the country to Carowinds and expose them to more than just a record breaking ride. “Having a local Charlotte-flavored ride (referencing) the Hornets is a great idea. I’m really glad they did that. It’ll make it stand out in a national context and also something we can all relate to.”
Next season, Carowinds visitors will also enjoy a new park entrance, new parking areas, and re-vamped menus that will feature Carolina fare like barbecue, corn bread, and sweet tea. But it’s the sting of Fury 325 that has the park’s leadership really buzzing. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity in the amusement industry to open up a coaster of this magnitude. It’s a dream, it truly is,” says Fehnel.
The new roller coaster will be visible from uptown Charlotte.
