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In mid-June, Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa, Florida, will re-introduce SheiKra, its two-year-old dive coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard, with new floorless cars allowing riders an unobstructed view of the 70mph rush. Six weeks earlier, sister park Busch Gardens Europe, in Williamsburg, Virginia, with introduce Griffon, a brand new floorless dive coaster.
The retrofit of SheiKra in Tampa is expected to go smoothly. The ride’s track will remain unchanged. For the riders, however, the psychological effect of the floorless cars will be intense: They will no longer be able to brace themselves against the floor of the car. With the front rail gone, passengers will be completely exposed as they come over the crest of SheiKra’s signature 200ft, 90-degree plunge.
SheiKra will close for approximately three weeks in late May for the conversion to take place. The bulk of the changes will occur at the loading platform, where retractable floors and handrails will be installed.
- 10 - 12 September, 2008
FUN EXPO - Las Vegas - 23 - 25 September, 2008
LIW 2008 - Birmingham, UK - 23 - 24 September, 2008
TILEZONE - Lódz, Poland - 27 - 29 September, 2008
IAAPA SUMMER MEETING - Munich, Germany - 30 September - 02 October, 2008
EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW - Munich, Germany - 16 - 18 October, 2008
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INTERSCHAU / TECHNOFOLIES - Stuttgart, Germany - 29 - 30 October, 2008
WWA TRADE SHOW - Las Vegas - 18 - 21 November, 2008
IAAPA ATTRACTIONS EXPO - Orlando, Florida
