ABC Engineering is preparing a new suspended family coaster for Potts Park in Germany, ready for a summer debut. Featuring six 3-seater glider vehicles, Turbo-Drachen (Turbo-Dragon) will feature 450-metres of track and a number of family-friendly specifications to suit Potts’ young clientele.
The Pott family’s relationship with ABC and its founder Willy Walser goes back over a decade. In 1997, when he was still working for Bear Rides, Walser supplied a flume ride to Potts with whale-themed boats instead of the usual logs. This was the first time such vessels had been used on this type of ride, and the two parties have fostered a spirit of innovation and co-operation ever since.
When ABC developed plans for a suspended coaster in 2005, Walser was keen to present the concept to the Potts family, and one year later a variety of layouts were prepared. In July last year, after some trying negotiations, the contract was signed.
Going by the catalogue name of the Dynamic Flyer Ride, the motorised coaster was originally envisaged with a pterodactyl theme, but this and several other options were looked over by Potts in favour of the glider you see here. The theme fits in well with other rides in the park and also its beautiful surroundings in the Wiehen mountains.
The layout chosen for Turbo-Drachen crosses over and under itself several times, as well as around other attractions such as the Noratlas plane ride. While it might be exhilarating, the experience is never too scary, as it has been engineered for guests as young as three to enjoy, if they are accompanied by an adult. Each ride will last around 90 seconds.
