05.23.2005:New New Jersey Coaster 45 Stories 130 Miles Per Hour

AFP Photo: Riders pass the crest of the tower of the 'Kingda Ka' roller coaster and head...

 

from news.yahoo.com

 

TRENTON, United States (AFP) - The idea of paying nearly 1,700 dollars to be catapulted up a vertical incline the height of a 45-story building at 130 miles per hour comes naturally to the likes of Jeremy Delong.

"Worth every cent," the 22-year-old naval serviceman from Ohio concluded as he disembarked from the maiden run Thursday of "Kingda Ka" -- the world's newest, tallest and fastest roller coaster.

Installed at the Six Flags Theme Park near Trenton, New Jersey, the monster ride uses a hydraulic launch system to slingshot riders horizontally from 0 to 205 kilometers (128 miles) per hour in 3.5 sickening seconds.

The momentum flings the 18-seater train into a 90 degree climb to a height of 139 meters (456 feet), followed by a vertical plunge through a three-quarter spiral and a final jaunt over a 39-meter (129-foot) high "camel hump."

With the entire ride lasting under a minute, the thrill cost Delong 33 dollars per second, after he bid 1,692 dollars on the Internet auction house eBay for the right to be on the first run.