Tomb Raider at King’s Island was a fantastic ride (is it still around?), mostly because you had absolutely no idea what it was going in. All you knew was that it was inside (air conditioning!), the line was long, and people were excited as they came out. Even getting onto the ride gave you no indication of what was about to happen. It was quite a bit faster than what was in the video, but it was more rigid and could probably withstand the extra speed.
But that thing in Russia? Holy crap - I’d get on that in a flat second! That twist is pretty impressive, and I’d be anxious to see how it feels.
Someone tell me if I’m crazy. Has anyone that ever went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom remember a ride that was a lot like that, if not identical to it? Since the park is closed, I’m not sure where to look it up.
It’s called “The Crypt” now and KI has been having all kinds of mechanical problems with it. Cedar Fair bought the park from another company that in turn bought it from Paramount, so all the Paramount-owned themes have been reverted to generic ones. So rides like the “Scooby-Doo Haunted Castle” is now called some generic bullshit like “Boo Blasters on Boo Hill”. “Top Gun” is “Flight Deck”, etc.
If you ever make it back to KI ride their newest coaster, The Diamonback. Its a pretty stellar coaster, although nothing can replace The Beast in my heart. I love me some wooden rollercoasters, and particularly that one. Hell, its a five minute ride through the woods! Riding it at night is a trip. Hardly any lights at all, whipping through the woods at 60mph on a clackety coaster…its pretty cool.