Scorpion

Scorpion General [[File:|link=|center]] ' ' Park Busch Gardens Tampa Location Tampa, Florida, USA Status Standing but not operating Operated Operated May 16, 1980 - September 8, 2024 Opened May 16, 1980 Opening Cost Height restriction 42 inches (107 cm) Statistics Manufacturer Builder Designer Werner Stengel, Anton Schwarzkopf Type Type Steel Sit-Down Model Silverarrow Riders per train 20 Riders per hour 1,800 Lift/launch system Chain Lift Height 60.7 feet Drop feet Top speed 41 mph Length 1,817.6 feet Dimensions feet x feet Duration 1:30 Inversions 1 Steepest drop 39 degrees Maximum g-force 3.5G

Scorpion is a compact steel sit-down roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Tampa in Tampa, Florida, USA. It's one of only three Schwarzkopf Silverarrow models, and the only permanent installation. Of the two traveling instances that have made their respective ways through Europe and Africa under various names, the last in operation is known as Big Blue at Dalmaland in Croatia.

History

Scorpion opened in 1980 as a part of the newly added Timbuktu section that gave the park a complete circuit, linking the Congo and Nairobi sections of the park. It was one of the most popular attractions in Timbuktu.

In 2004, as a part of the park's Timbuktu renovation as Pantopia, Scorpion was repainted from its original color scheme of orange track and black supports to its current scheme of orange track (appearing more red at times) and dark blue supports. 2020 saw another repaint with no color change.

On August 23rd, 2024, the park unceremoniously announced via social media that Scorpion would be closing permanently to make way for future development on Labor Day, September 2nd. Due to public outcry regarding the short ten day notice, this date was pushed back a week to September 8th. The ride operated over 44 years. Busch Gardens has not commented on whether it will be scrapped or sold.

Layout

Scorpion has a compact and twisted layout, including the signature vertical loop inversion. After the 60 foot (18 meter) lift hill, riders twist down a drop and pass through the single vertical loop element. Following the loop, the train goes through a pretzel turnaround and threads (goes through the center of) the vertical loop. Riders circle around a 900° helix before entering the brake run.

Gallery

The Vertical Loop element

External links

• Scorpion at the Roller Coaster DataBase
• Scorpion (roller coaster) at Wikipedia