Dragster as fast as Radar Says?

I was just wondering what the thoughts of those who have seen Dragster in action. I was there on July 4th after the fireworks and was amazed at how quickly trains were making it over the top. The radar that night was reading anywhere between 121 mph and topping at 124 mph.

Just last week the radar was reading anywhere from 120 mph to 123 mph and the trains were barely making it over the top. The radar was reading in the 120's on rollbacks.

So did CP rig the radar to read speeds faster than they actually are to impress the GP?

------------------
tambo

Top speed is not the only factor which determines whether or not the train makes it over the top. Wind, temperature, weight of the riders, even the number of arms up all have an effect on the rate at which the train will slow down once the launch is complete.

i was wondering that too. when i was there early on in the season the radar kept reading 117 and 118 and i've been wondering how those made it so effortlessly. i guess more people are building up the courage to put their arms up.

------------------
It's like a new pair of underwear; at first it's constrictive... but after a while it becomes a part of you. -Garth Algar

That radar was modified however, the one now reading speeds might be the more accurate one..

------------------
Go Full Force. :::::::::::::89

Trains were smaller at the beginning of the season also.

I saw some rollbacks on 124-125mph with empty trains, and dead accurate or not, its fun to watch what this ride hits sometimes.
*** This post was edited by Draken_LC 7/22/2003 2:47:25 PM ***

Does the radar read the speed before or after you are detached from the launch sled?

------------------
Due To Budget Cuts, The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Has Been Turned Off.
MilleNNium is spelled with two n's people!

I think that's an issue right there...I suspect that the radar has been re-aimed to a different point along the track, if only to make it so that it doesn't read "7" all the time.

I'd say Dragster is as fast as it claims, unless it isn't as tall as it claims. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I believe it reads the train as it disengages the sled/is already at max speed.

I doubt the readings are accurate. The "sign" is just there for cosmetics, IMO.

MrScott

------------------
"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"

New case study....

How many rides will it take for us to all get cancer from exposure to the microwaves in the radar gun... Especially if it's an X band radar gun.

I actually suspect that it is a speedometer that reads the speed of the launch sled. That would be easier for them to do I think rather than aim a radar gun and keep it clean

The sign probaly isn't the most accurate reader in the world, but it's possible for it to go faster than 120. Wind speed can make a huge difference. Millennium Force probaly goes faster than 93 when the track's slick.

------------------
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is over comming it.

All I know is that it appears that they borrowed a gun from a speed-pitch game and mounted it on a pole on the hydraulic building.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Bummer. Plugging into the computer, which probably measures the speed, would've been much more elegant. ;)

------------------
Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - Luau II Cam 7/19
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

I asking one of the workers a few months ago and he said that there were sensors placed on the track that measure how fast it's going

They definitly did change the radar since the beginning of the season, the accuracy might be a little off but I am sure that it isn't fabricated. But it must be hitting something around 120 which is all that matters if that is what it takes to get over the top.

------------------
Life has it's ups and downs, might as well make it on a coaster!

I was there early july and i also noticed the the "your speed" sign did reach 124 a few times, although i guess that is just there for novelty, becasue when you are on the ride, there is no possible way you can even see anything except a blue blur of that large sign its on...

------------------
TTD: 2 (Rollbacks seen: 1)
MF: 15
WT: 6
Usually at CP: every mon, tuesday, thursday

A worker also told me sensors in the track measure the speed.

The sign is not cosmetic and it is a real radar gun. Funny this is a topic, cuz I took my bushnell radar gun one day for the heck of it and I got 119 when the CP one read 120, then 120 when it read 120...so its pretty accurate.

They let you into the park with a radar gun?