Wild Rides

I recently purchased the Discovery Channel's DVD, Wild Rides and incidentally, its my first coaster video. While watching it, I enjoyed the Raptor and Magnum segments, but there was another that caught my attention. There was a segment on Desperado at Buffalo Bills. While introducing the coaster the stats for it scrolled up the right hand side of the screen and it stated that it's top speed is 95mph. Also, during the on-ride commentary the rider was stating at what points the ride got to a certain speed such as "and this is where we break 90". I am aware that Discovery does make mistakes on their shows, and I was curious to know the real speed of this ride since I had thought the Millennium set the record for fastest at 93mph. Thanks to any that can help.
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Mike McCormack
Millennium Force: 5
Raptor: 8
Magnum XL-200: 1
Lifetime Coaster Count: 36

95? on Jupiter maybe. I think its officially slated at 80. I seem to remember them over doing the speed.

i always though it was around 78mph.

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daniel j. haverlock
Magnum Count: 1266
MF Count: 117
spiritofthepoint.com

They have advertised for 85+ mph. Of course they also advertise that the lift hill is only 209 ft. I don't think a 209 ft. roller coaster could even go 78 mph.

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2001 park line up:

Cedar Point May 5-6, 16
(other parks N/A as of March 1) *** This post was edited by Magnum is sinking! on 3/23/2001. ***

The lift is 209ft. the drop is 225ft. into an underground tunnel. Its true that the ride doesnt break 90mph. Its max speed as advertised is 85mph which seems about right. This obviously can vary due to the weight of the train and wind speed. With this in mind I believe it goes somewhere in the area of 80 to 85.

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Adventuredome Ride Op
MGM Grand Adventures Ride Op
Future CP Ride Op

I'm a little rusty, but even 80 mph seems a bit high. Millennium Force is 310 ft, and it pulls a maximum speed of 95 mph (with no friction). I believe it would have to have a drop of at least 250 ft. with no friction to even get close to 80 mph.

Seems like we need RideMan's help.

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2001 park line up:

Cedar Point May 5-6, 16
(other parks N/A as of March 1) *** This post was edited by Magnum is sinking! on 3/23/2001. ***

~225 will give you ~80mph under the right conditions.

Ok, that's what I was thinking. Thanks for clearin that up for me. I was getting a bit confused. Stupid Discovery Channel!

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Mike McCormack
Millennium Force: 5
Raptor: 8
Magnum XL-200: 1
Lifetime Coaster Count: 36

IT's also in the desert, which has a whole lot of atmosphere above it which would make it go faster.

It probably hits 85mph on a good day. I've experienced this ride several times and it does have some speed going for it. I don't think it could or would ever hit 90 though.

No, not stupid Discovery channel. Uninformed or perhaps over-enthusiastic roller coaster enthusiast on the Discovery channel (yeah, like that ever happens*).

*=sarcasm ;)

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Rich Genthner / PTC99