Air RAce | Amusing the Zillion

Posts Tagged ‘Air RAce’

Round the World and at the Fair with Zamperla’s Air Race

Posted in Amusement ride, tagged Air RAce, Coney Island, Dreamworld, Florida state Fair, Luna Park, State Fair of Texas, Tivoli, Zamperla on February 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A new portable version of Zamperla’s Air Race designed for traveling carnivals is one of the thrill rides on the independent midway at the Florida State Fair, which runs through today in Tampa. Owned by Joyce and Jeff Brady of Playworld Amusements, the ride debuted at October’s State Fair of Texas, where it was called the “Air Raid.” The on-ride POV vid shown above was shot at the 2012 IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, where attendees were invited to try out the ride for free. In the vid below of the ride at the Dallas fair, skip to 1:49, which is when the planes start moving. Carnival lights are always brighter than amusement park lights!

Designed by Mega Disk’O creator Gianbattista Zambelli, the aerobatic thrill ride sends riders round and round and upside down at up to 4g forces. Since the Air Race prototype made its world debut at Zamperla’s Luna Park in Coney Island in 2010, it’s been a worldwide success with sales to parks in Portugal, China, North Korea, Chile, Australia and Utah. In 2013, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen will debut the Air Race with eagle-shaped seats shown in the rendering below. Built on an elaborate platform, the ride’s theming has an Art Nouveau look.

Rendering of Eagle-themed Air Race Set to Debut at Tivoli Gardens in 2013. Via Tivoli Gardens Facebook

Coney Island’s Air Race seats 24 riders and is similar in design to the ones at Aquashow Parc in Portugal, Lagoon Park in Utah, and Gorky Park in the Ukraine. A new deluxe model seats up to 32 riders in six four-seater planes. In an article we wrote about the new Luna Park for IAAPA Funworld in 2010, Zamperla president Valerio Ferrari said, “Our intention is to have the latest rides that we develop in our park.” The fact that the world’s largest manufacturer of amusement rides is trying out prototypes at Luna Park is an exciting development that calls to mind the heyday of Coney Island when the first models of any new park or carnival rides would make their debut here.

Zamperla also benefits because the New York City amusement park functions as a showroom for Zamperla’s New Jersey-based North American operation. In December, a Kung Fu Panda-themed version of the Air Race called Pandamonium opened at Australia’s Dreamworld, which has a partnership with DreamWorks Animation. “This swinging rickshaw ride is an adventure with a serious split personality,” according to the park’s website. “It’s two rides in one — one for kids and one for thrill seekers.” Riders get to choose the intensity of the ride –‘not-so crazy’ or ‘seriously crazy’–as it spins around a mighty dragon.

Zamperla Air Race Ride Wins Sales at IAAPA Attractions Expo

Posted in Amusement ride, tagged Air RAce, Attractions Expo, Coney Island, IAAPA, Luna Park, Zamperla on December 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Zamperla's Air Race Ride Seat & Video on Display at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. November 17, 2010. Photo © Intercot via twitter

A seat from Zamperla’s prototype Air Race ride at Luna Park Coney Island took a trip to Orlando last month. The Air Race seat and ride video were on display in Zamperla’s booth at the Nov 15- Nov 19 IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions) Attractions Expo. Valerio Ferrari, CEO of Zamperla USA and Luna Park, tells ATZ that two Air Race rides were sold to parks in Europe at the trade show. A few other deals are in the discussion phase, he adds.

An Air Race has also been sold to a park in China, ATZ learned from Alberto Zamperla, president and CEO of Antonio Zamperla S.p.A., in October. Designed by Mega Disk’O creator Gianbattista Zambelli, the Air Race sends riders upside down at up to 4g forces. The thrill ride made its world debut at Zamperla’s new amusement park in Coney Island in June.

Zamperla Air Race Ride in Operation at Luna Park Coney Island. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Zamperla Air Race Ride in Operation at Luna Park Coney Island. June 10, 2010. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

The IAAPA Attractions Expo, the premier annual conference and trade show for the amusement industry, drew 25,000 participants from 96 countries to the Orange County Convention Center. Zamperla’s booth displayed the Luna Park NYC logo while individual video terminals showcased the park’s Zamperla rides.

In an article we wrote about the new Luna Park for IAAPA Funworld, Ferrari says, “Our intention is to have the latest rides that we develop in our park.” The fact that the world’s largest manufacturer of amusement rides is trying out prototypes at Luna Park is an exciting development that calls to mind the heyday of Coney Island when the first models of any new park or carnival rides would make their debut here.

Zamperla also benefits because the New York City amusement park functions as a showroom for Zamperla’s New Jersey-based North American operation. Luna Park closed for the season after Halloween and will reopen on Palm Sunday (April 17, 2011), but the majority of rides remain in place and on view.

Luna Park Coney Island: Zamperla Air Race On-Ride POV Video

Posted in Amusement ride, video, tagged Air RAce, Coaster Force, Coney Island, Luna Park, POV video, Zamperla on September 16, 2010| 1 Comment »

If you’re a wimp when it comes to thrill rides, this on-ride POV vid is your chance to go for a virtual spin on Zamperla’s new Air Race. Woo hoo! From our article about Luna Park in the August issue of IAAPA Funworld: “Our intention is to have the latest rides that we develop in our park,” says Valerio Ferrari (CEO of Zamperla USA and Central Amusements International), who points to the Air Race, a prototype designed by Mega Disk’O creator Gianbattista Zambelli. The thrill ride, which sends riders upside down at up to 4 g forces, made its world debut in Coney Island.

Zamperla’s Luna Park in Coney Island opened on Memorial Day weekend. The park is currently open weekends through Halloween.

An off-ride POV video (also by Coaster Force) conveys the visual impact of the ride. When you’re standing at the perimeter, it really does feel like the aerobatic planes are diving towards you!