CoasterGallery.com -- Paramount's Kings Dominion Press Release

Paramount's Kings Dominion News Release
The Italian Job Turbo Coaster

Doswell, Virginia (October 12, 2005) — Next spring, Paramount's Kings Dominion will debut its 13th exciting coaster complete with the thrills of a Hollywood blockbuster. With the addition of THE ITALIAN JOB STUNT COASTER, guests of all ages will experience a unique, fast-track coaster experience that brings to life one of the most thrilling movie chase sequences ever filmed in Hollywood.

Based on the high-action finale of Paramount Pictures' The Italian Job (2003) starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland, this exciting new coaster will take families on a high-speed stunt car adventure through movie sets and scenes inspired by the film's climatic chase sequence.

From the moment they board their very own MINI Cooper S, park guests will immediately be surrounded by the sights, sounds and scenes of a Hollywood action movie. Asked to help "film" the final chase scene from the famous movie, THE ITALIAN JOB, riders quickly become stunt car drivers as their cars races out onto the track. Each MINI Cooper S is tricked out with audio special effects that add to the multi-sensory sensation of the experience, and as the custom stunt car MINIs peel out, everyone is transported into the stunt chase sequence. Drivers twist through a parking garage, dodge near-collisions, race down stairs, chase through tunnels and narrowly escape massive explosions triggered by gunfire from a menacing helicopter. Tires skid out one last time as the stunt cars crash through a billboard and splash down into an L.A. aqueduct concluding the chase sequence and their screen test trial as a stunt driver.

THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION:
Lights, camera, action – the ride experience recreates the six scenes of the climatic final chase sequence of the film:

Scene One—Race through parking garage
Scene Two—Fly down subway stairs
Scene Three—Dodge police cars
Scene Four—Screech to a halt and narrowly avoid gunfire from a helicopter
Scene Five—Chase through sewer tunnel
Scene Six—Plunge through a billboard and into an LA aqueduct

MINI COOPER S:
Each ride vehicle is a 75 percent scale replica of the BMW MINI Cooper S convertible. In addition, each MINI Cooper S features a power slide effect, which creates a fishtailing sensation. Hang on for some intense curves and driving sequences. From the cool coloring, to the vanity license plates, these MINIs are as detailed as the ones found at the dealer. And – to make sure they provide the right level of thrill, even the cars’ wheels were specifically selected for the rapid acceleration of the train. 1,000 stunt drivers per hour will ride their MINIs through the coolest coaster in the MidAtlantic!

AUDIO SYSTEM:
Each car is enhanced with surround-sound speakers, providing stunt car drivers with the ride of their life. From engine revving to the sound of squealing tires, guests will be totally immersed in the action.

STUNT TRACK:
1,960 feet of rail track making up a two minute experience – the coolest ride in a MINI Cooper S ever. The MINIs climb to a height of 45.2 feet and the total stunt track elevation climbs higher to 53.3 feet of thrills. Beware of the 31.2 feet drop that takes place when you least expect it!

RAPID SPEED:
The ride catapults guests using linear induction motors at rapid speeds up to 40 mph. With the three peels out, and an 88 degree banked turn, these MINIs will earn guests a speeding ticket if they are not careful.

THE COASTER:
THE ITALIAN JOB TURBO COASTER is a multiple LIM (linear induction motor) launch circuit coaster. Trains are propelled in the station with drive tires and in the launch and boost zones by linear induction motors. Linear induction motors are propulsion units that are used where either high thrust or high speed propulsion is needed. Propulsion is achieved when currents are produced by the interaction of an electromagnetic field generated by the LIM and an aluminum reaction plate on the cars. The currents produced by this interaction create a magnetic field that opposes the original magnetic field, thereby producing a force vector between the LIM and the fin. This force vector provides thrust to move the train. Drive tires are propulsion units that are used when train movement and braking or holding is needed in low speed. All drive tires are capable of forward and reversing motion.

DESIGN TEAM:
A team of over 100 highly trained and talented individuals, from diverse fields, partnered on the design and construction of the ITALIAN JOB STUNT COASTER. Planning took over a year and construction began in the fall of 2005. Some of the talented and trained professionals included engineers, steel workers, steel erection specialists, electricians, mechanical specialists, control systems specialists, excavation and grading experts, scenic painters, audio engineers, pneumatic specialists, flame / fire specialist, representatives from the ride manufacturer and representatives from Kings Dominion’s veteran Maintenance and Construction team.

MANUFACTURER:
Premier Rides, Inc.