Third row of brakeing fins

At CP yesterday I noticed a thrid row of brakeing fins about halfway down the launch run. They are in the center of the track and operate independently of the other ones. Also there are 2 large fans underneath pointing at the track. I do not remember these being there earlier, does anyone know what the 3rd row is for?

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Arms down.....Arms down.....Arms down.......Arms down.....Arms down....Arms down...(you think they would get it the first time?!)

TTD-9 Rollbacks-1
*** This post was edited by liebevision 8/3/2003 4:13:41 PM ***

maybe those are more powerful for stopping the train and the closer ones arent as powerful so that the train can return to the launch position faster. just a guess.

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Guess what? I got a fever! And the only prescription... is more cowbell!

Maybe those fins are some more fins for the launch sled? The fans that you noted about in your post I haven't noticed but I havent been to the point in a few days.
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2003 Statistics
Top Thrill Dragster: 9
Magnum XL-200: 44
Trips to the point: 27

Perhaps to cool down the fins? On a clear day, you can see the heat rising from them even after just a few trains...

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Race for the Sky. :::::::::::::9

Yes, those brakes are to slow the launch sled. As has been discussed a number of times, one of the things holding them back from hitting the magic interval is getting the sled back and reset quickly. The brakes allow them to move it quickly and stop it quickly.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

I was at the park on friday and I too noticed the fans. I looked for something extra at the point that would cause the need for fans at that point of the launch and not at the rest, but I noticed nothing. Another thing, why would they have fins to slow down the sled in the middle of the launch? Wouldn't it make more sense for them to be closer to the launch point of the track so it can go faster for longer?

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www.RideWorld.com

Well, I think the fins that he (Liebevision)is talking about are the ones that slow the sled down at the end of the launch were the sled stops at the hydraulic building.

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2003 Statistics
Top Thrill Dragster: 9
Magnum XL-200: 44
Trips to the point: 27

Yes, I also saw those new fins on the launch. They are only at the very end of the launch; maybe the last 1/5 of it. and there are huge fans underneath them pointing straight upward. The idea of slowing the launch sled seems like a good posibility because unlike the brake fins. These fins drop when the sled is returning to the launch position, yet pop up before the brakes drop for launch and then do not lower until the train is well up the tophat. I believe that this is only one of the many changes we will see before next season. I think that no doubt the entire hydraulic system will be reworked, and also, something will be done about the trains not being able to clear the curve between the unload and load stations. This seems to be one of the biggest problems ive seen.

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TTD Burnouts = 9
Frontseaters = 4
What are the lights moving for...
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I Feel The Need, The Need For Speed - Top Gun

Just wanted to state my opinion as Steve was talking about next year. I have a hunch that they will still continue to run 5 trains. It just seems like they will continue that because they run good when its a good day with 5 trains. I still think they may keep the 6th train there though, does anyone else think that?

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2003 Statistics
Top Thrill Dragster: 9
Magnum XL-200: 44
Trips to the point: 27

Mantis has 3 trains, and only runs 2 i knew for diff reasons, but that is totally possible fat chris, its not uncommon for trains to be rotated/keep for just incase.

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Ed Markey is my anti-drug.
Rollercoasters have proven to cause brain damage in stupid politicians. DAR-HOOT

trips to CP:6 Dragster:2 MFer:6 Magnum: 13 Its hot, the bugs are here, and everything has a line....AH CARP! ITS JULY!