1. Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, New Jersey, USA
Top Speed: 128 mph / 206 km/h
Kingda Ka is not just the
fastest, but also the tallest roller coaster in the world. A hydraulic
launch mechanism rockets the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206
km/h) in 3.5 seconds, pulling about 1.67 g’s. At the end of the launch
track, the train climbs the main tower, twisting 90 degrees to the right
before reaching a height of 456 feet (139.5 m). The train then descends
418 feet (127 m) straight down through a 270-degree spiral. Finally,
the train climbs the second, 129 foot hill, producing a moment of
weightlessness before being smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic
brakes. Due to the high speed and open nature of the trains, this ride
will not operate in even light rain, as rider contact with rain drops
can cause discomfort.
2. Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Top Speed: 120 mph / 193 km/h
Top Thrill Dragster was the
first “Strata Coaster,” loosely defined as a complete circuit coaster
that is 400 to 499 feet tall. It was the last one to use lapbars instead
of over-the-shoulder restraints due to mechanical problems. Shortly
after reaching its maximum velocity in less than four seconds, the train
begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline that has a 90-degree
counter-clockwise twist that takes the train straight over the top of
the 420 foot hill, where riders will experience significant airtime
(zero g-forces). On the way down the other side, there is a 270-degree
clockwise twist that leads into the magnetic braking section that brings
the train to a swift but comfortable stop.
3. Dodonpa – Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan
Top Speed: 106.9 mph / 172 km/h
Dodonpa opened in 2001 and is a
steel sit-down roller coaster with a compressed air launch. It is 52
metres (170 feet) tall, and has a launch speed of 172 km/h (107 mph),
which is reached in less than 2 seconds. The launch is followed by a
huge, sweeping, overbanked curve, giving riders a chance to catch their
breath back, before they hit the 170 foot top hat; an element with some
extreme negative G forces. The name ‘Dodonpa’ comes from the musical
sound which is played to customers waiting to board it.
4. Tower of Terror – Dreamworld, Coomera, Queensland, Australia
Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
Tower Of Terror is a steel
reverse freefall coaster. The six ton passenger vehicle, is
electro-magnetically powered, accelerating its passengers rapidly to
160.9 km/h (100 mph) in seven seconds. The track then turns skyward,
with the passengers pulling 4.5 G’s. The car climbs to almost 38 stories
high. Following the climb, there is a 6.5 second free-fall before the
90 degree turn is executed in reverse. The vehicle then hurtles into the
station where it comes to a rapid stop.
5. Superman: The Escape – Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, USA
Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
Superman: The Escape, is
probably the most hair-raising of the coasters listed here. Instead of
looping and twisting, the Escape is a straight track that rises to 41
stories in a matter of seconds and then, after pausing, drops back down.
The ride is L-shaped and accelerates to 100 miles per hour (the first
roller-coaster to reach that speed) in 7 seconds. The drop involves 6.5
seconds of weightlessness and when you drop, you drop backwards.
6. Steel Dragon 2000 – Nagashima Spa Land, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Top Speed: 95 mph / 152.9 km/h
Steel Dragon 2000 is the tallest
coaster to utilize a traditional chain lift. Because of the length of
the lift hill, two chains are used – one for the bottom half and one for
the top half. A single chain would have been excessively long and
heavy, at least twice the weight of one of the trains. As a result, two
trains can safely occupy the lift simultaneously. It debuted only months
after Millennium Force and surpassed the Cedar Point coaster as the
world’s tallest complete-circuit coaster. It also set a record for
longest track length – 8133 feet, 2 inches (2479 m).
7. Millennium Force – Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Top Speed: 93 mph / 149.7 km/h
Debuting in May, 2000, the
Millennium Force is one of the highest roller coasters in the world. It
boasts 10 world records. It rises to a height of 310 feet and travels
through Cedar Point Park before crossing on to an island. During the
trip you experience corkscrew turns in dark tunnels, 300 foot drops, and
an 80 degree plummet down its highest point. The 2 minute 20 second
ride covers 13 acres of track.
8. Titan – Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
Top Speed: 85 mph / 136.7 km/h
The Titan was built by the same
Swiss designers that built the Goliath but includes extra twists. It has
5,280 feet of track, allowing for more drops, loops, and corkscrews.
After dropping from the 255 foot hill, you are plunged in to a dark
tunnel at the speed of 85 miles per hour. Titan includes a spiral that
creates forces of up to 4.5gs.
9. Goliath – Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, USA
Top Speed: 85 mph / 136.7 km/h
Not only is the Goliath the 9th
fastest roller coaster, but it also has the third highest drop and is
the seventh tallest (standing at over 20 stories high). It includes a
255 foot drop, at 85 miles per hour, leading to a tunnel full of smoke.
It also includes camel-like humps and an amazing bunny hop in which
riders float off their seats due the force. It is recognized as one of
the most entertaining roller coasters in the world.
10. Phantom’s Revenge – Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
Top Speed: 82 mph / 131.9 km/h
In 2001, the Phantom’s Revenge
was built to replace the Steel Phantom, which had consistently been
ranked in the top five roller coasters in the world. It includes a 228
foot drop, subterranean tunnel, and reaches a maximum speed of 82 miles
per hour. For the sake of tradition, some of the features of the Steel
Phantom were retained, including the steel track. Replacing the loops
and corkscrew, it now offers an array of hills and drops. With more than
1400 roller coasters in the world how do you know which ones to pack
into your summer? If you are crazy about speed then here are ten of the
fastest rollers coasters in the world. The interesting fact about this
list is that USA holds seven places in ten