Speed – The Ride

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Speed – The Ride
Akita Plaza
Coordinates36°05′35″N 115°10′18″W / 36.093031°N 115.171732°W / 36.093031; -115.171732 (Speed)
StatusRemoved
Sahara Hotel and Casino
Park sectionNascar Café
Coordinates36°08′36″N 115°09′25″W / 36.14333°N 115.15694°W / 36.14333; -115.15694
StatusRemoved
Opening dateApril 28, 2000 (2000-04-28)
Closing dateMay 1, 2011
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched – Shuttle
ManufacturerPremier Rides
DesignerWerner Stengel
Height224 ft (68 m)
Length1,365 ft (416 m)
Speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions1 (transversed twice)
Duration0:45
Max vertical angle90°
Capacity1600 riders per hour
Acceleration0 to 45 to 70mph
G-force3.5
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Speed – The Ride at RCDB

Speed – The Ride is a roller coaster in storage at Akita Plaza on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. Originally located at the Sahara Hotel and Casino, it opened to the public on April 28, 2000, and closed on May 1, 2011.

History

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NASCAR Café (2000–2012)

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Speed – The Ride was constructed during the Sahara Hotel and Casino's 1999 remodeling, as part of the NASCAR Café addition. Original plans called for an indoor roller coaster with a maximum height of 100 feet (30 m), but the layout was later modified.[1] The ride was designed and manufactured by Premier Rides and fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.[2]

The Sahara casino closed on May 16, 2011. The outdated resort had been suffering from decline and lack of upkeep in prior years.[3] Speed – The Ride ceased operation prior to the hotel's closure on May 1, 2011.[4][5] Dismantling of the coaster began in April 2012.[6]

Akita Plaza

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According to the contractor dismantling the ride, Speed was to be reinstalled at Akita Plaza, a small shopping center across the street from Mandalay Bay, which also planned to add new restaurants and a concert venue.[7][8] The Akita Plaza development later stalled, and Speed – The Ride remained dismantled and in storage at the site.[4] By 2019, a portion of the ride was recycled for scrap and the rest is still in storage since December 22, 2022.[1]

Ride experience

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The ride began with a launch from the inside of the NASCAR Café, accelerating from 0–45 mph (0–72 km/h) in two seconds. The train dropped into an underground tunnel in front of the resort and then passed through a 92-foot (28 m) vertical loop. Afterwards, a second launch accelerated the train from 35–70 mph (56–113 km/h) in two seconds. After a quick snaking turn, the train traveled up a 224-ft (68m) tower before falling and traversing the entire course backwards. On the return trip, the second launch area decelerated the train from 70–35 mph (113–56 km/h) before traveling back through the vertical loop and the underground tunnel. The train then reached the final brake run and returned to the station.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Stilwell, Andrew (November 15, 2020). "20 in 2020: Speed: The Ride". Coaster101. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Amusement". Intermountain Lift, Inc. July 30, 2011. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  3. ^ "Sahara's closure on May 16 will mark 'the end of an era'". March 11, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Speed – The Ride". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  5. ^ "Speed the Ride Reopening".
  6. ^ "Roller coaster dismantled". April 13, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  7. ^ Breslin Builders (December 28, 2011). "Akita Retail and Events Center to get a roller coaster..." Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  8. ^ Breslin Builders (April 12, 2012). "SPEED The Ride – Sahara Roller Coaster Removal Starting..." Retrieved April 19, 2012.
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