Hyperia (roller coaster)

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Hyperia
Hypercoaster
ManufacturerMack Rides
ModelHypercoaster
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height71.93 m (236.0 ft)
Length995.4 m (3,266 ft)
Speed81 mph (130 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration2:00
Height restriction130 cm (4 ft 3 in)
Trains2 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
WebsiteOfficial site
Single rider line Yes
Hyperia at RCDB

Hyperia is a steel hypercoaster located at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, England. As of March 2024, it is the tallest roller coaster in the UK, however, while not open, The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is still the tallest operating roller coaster in the UK. It is also the fastest rollercoaster in the UK reaching speeds exceeding 81 miles per hour, taking the record from Stealth which is also located at Thorpe Park.

Hyperia was built on the site formerly occupied by both

Loggers Leap and Rocky Express,[3] and is scheduled to open on Friday 24th May 2024.[4]

History

Background

Loggers Leap opened in 1989 in the southern corner of the park, where it became the tallest log flume in the UK at the time of its debut. The ride operated through to 2015, but failed to open the following year and was addressed by park representatives as being "under redevelopment".[5] In February 2019, Thorpe Park confirmed that the attraction had been permanently closed, stating that "the area [which] Logger's Leap once dominated will be forming part of our long term development plans".[6] The rest of Old Town closed permanently in October 2021, which included the retirement of the park's Rocky Express and Timber Tug Boat.[2] Lumber Jump was rethemed as High Striker and relocated to the Amity area of the park for the 2022 season.[7]

Planning process

In December 2021, Thorpe Park held a public consultation for their new coaster project in Old Town, releasing various renders and information online.[8] Codenamed Project Exodus, the proposed ride promised to become the tallest coaster in the UK at 236 feet (72 m) tall, displacing The Big One's 213-foot (65 m) height at Blackpool Pleasure Beach after nearly three decades.[9] Although a manufacturer was not listed at the time, park officials confirmed that they had conducted noise tests on "a similar ride in Turkey" (correctly assumed to be Mack Rides' Hyper Coaster at Land of Legends Theme Park).[10]

On 14 March 2022, Thorpe Park submitted an extensive planning application to

Runnymede Borough Council detailing the proposed redevelopments of Old Town and Project Exodus' construction.[1][11] While the council eventually supported the park's development, sustained flood risk concerns from the Environment Agency prompted a project referral to the Secretary of State, who made no objections to the project.[12] The council officially granted permission for Project Exodus on 2 November 2022, although the application's case officer would later criticise the Environment Agency's communication during the planning process, stating that: "A rollercoaster which was partly in the functional flood plain was never going to be straight forward planning application but it should not have been as difficult as it was. We had a positive working relationship with both the planning agents, Lichfields UK and the applicant Thorpe Park. The difficulty was the lack of ability to engage effectively with the Environment Agency. I'm sure the level of service they are providing or lack thereof, is not how they want to deal with matters".[13][14]

Announcement

On 9 February 2023, Thorpe Park launched Club 236, a passholder competition to visit the park with the chance of being among the coaster's first public riders in 2024.[15] It was also confirmed that Project Exodus would be built by Mack Rides.[16] Further details were submitted to the council in May, depicting a pearl gold and papyrus white colour scheme – the structure's upper sections would be painted white in order to reduce its visual impact outside of the park.[17] In August 2023, it was announced that Project Exodus would not only be the UK's tallest coaster, but also the fastest.[18]

During the development phase, Merlin Entertainments – through the alias Vista Maxima Services Ltd – initially filed a trademark for ICARUS in March 2023. However, HYPERIA was submitted later on in August, and would go on to become the final name of the ride.[19] Hyperia was formally announced on 5 October 2023 and was accompanied by a promotional video that not only introduced the coaster's name but also presented its slogan, "Find your fearless". The video further provided a point-of-view (POV) glimpse into the ride experience.[20][21]

Throughout its construction phase, Thorpe Park made substantial efforts to keep the public engaged on the coaster's progress. On 27 March 2024, an opening day was set for 24 May.[22] The coaster's trains were subsequently unveiled to the public on 12 April.[23]

Construction timeline

2022
  • 2 November 2022; Project Exodus approved by Runnymede Borough Council.[13]
  • December 2022; Demolition begins on Logger's Leap and the Old Town area.[24]
2023
  • 9 January; Ride foundation cages delivered to the park.[25]
  • April; Construction crews mark out locations for the structure's foundations.[26]
  • 22 July; First delivery of coaster supports arrive from Mack Rides.[27]
  • 28 September; First coaster track pieces arrive at Thorpe Park.[28]
  • 9 October; First support structure pieces installed at the ride's outerbank.[29]
  • 11 October; First track sections lifted into place.[30]
  • 16 October; Steel framework begins to be set up for the coaster's station.[31]
  • 22 October; A separate set of steel framework begins going up for the maintenance shed.[32]
2024
  • 29 February; The first drop has been mostly completed, with only lift hill track pieces left to be installed.
  • 1 March; The last piece of track, a straight lift hill piece, has been delivered to the construction site.
  • 6 March; Hyperia's track is completed with the crest of the lift hill being placed in, making it the tallest roller coaster in the UK by 23 feet (7.0 m), overtaking the previous record held by The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at 213 feet (65 m).[33]
  • 6 April; Hyperia starts test preparations and the transfer tracks started moving.[34]
  • 16 April; Hyperia completes its first test run cycle.
  • 24 April; The first humans riders (Mack Engineers) were found on the train going around the track

Characteristics

Statistics

Hyperia is 236 feet (72 m) tall, has a track length of 3,265.7 feet (995.4 m), and can reach speeds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h). The coaster features two inversions, with those being a barrel roll into a drop and dive loop. Sources differ in opinion on whether the coaster's first-non-inverting Immelmann is considered to be a true inversion or not. Hyperia will run with two 20-passenger trains, each of which contains five cars seating riders in two rows of two.

Etymology

The choice of the name "Hyperia" is a reference to the coaster's classification as a "hypercoaster", with the theming of the ride being inspired by the fearless goddess,

Hyperia, aligning with the slogan "Find your fearless".[35]

References

  1. ^ a b "Thorpe Park submits £18m rollercoaster plans". riderater.co.uk. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Ross (30 November 2021). "Thorpe Park – Goodbye Old Town Rides!". themeparkrm.com. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ Site Plan as Existing. Thorpe Park. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2022
  4. ^ "Hyperia". Thorpe Park. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024. From 24th May, we're taking thrills to incredible new heights with 'Hyperia' — the UK's tallest and fastest rollercoaster. Reaching heights of 236ft and speeds of over 80mph, once you've experienced Hyperia you'll never fear again.
  5. ^ Talbot, Charlotte (25 January 2017). "Thorpe Park's Logger's Leap to remain closed for 2017 for 'redevelopment'". Surrey Advertiser. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Will Loggers Leap be re-opening?". thorpepark.com. Thorpe Park Resort. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  7. ^ "High Striker, Thorpe Park". themeparkjames.co.uk. Theme Park James. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Thorpe Park 2024 Rollercoaster Public Consultation Plans Uploaded". themeparkguide.co.uk. Theme Park Guide. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  9. ^ White, Steven (14 December 2021). "Thorpe Park new rollercoaster: 5 new things we just learned from public consultation". Surrey Advertiser. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  10. ^ Marden, Duane. "Hyper Coaster  (Land of Legends Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  11. ^ "Planning Application: Redevelopment of 'Old Town' area within Thorpe Park". runnymede.gov.uk. Runnymede Borough Council. 14 March 2022.
  12. ^ Lewis (3 November 2022). "UK's tallest rollercoaster Project Exodus approved for Thorpe Park Resort". attractionsource.com. Attraction Source. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Town And Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2015". runnymede.gov.uk. Runnymede Borough Council. 2 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Christine Ellera". linkedin.com. LinkedIn. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  15. ^ @THORPEPARK (9 February 2023). "Who wants to be on the FIRST public ride of our BRAND NEW..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Thorpe Park – Hyperia (Project Exodus)". 18 October 2023.
  17. ^ Carly (4 May 2023). "Thorpe Park Resort submit details of external materials for Project Exodus". attractionsource.com. Attraction Source. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  18. ^ @THORPEPARK (16 August 2023). "We couldn't let #NationalRollercoasterDay go by without mentioning a little thing we call 'Project Exodus'-our new #coaster coming soon to #ThorpePark😉🎢
    Not only is it going to be the UK's tallest #rollercoaster, but it'll also be the UK's fastest!🎢✨
    orlo.uk/News_U5POL"     (Tweet). Retrieved 18 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ @jaystocky (16 August 2023). "hmmm" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Boyd, Milo (6 October 2023). "Thorpe Park's new ride will be 'UK's tallest and fastest rollercoaster' and it looks epic". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  21. ^ Graves, Kieran (11 October 2023). "New Thorpe Park rollercoaster named as on-board video teased". Surrey Advertiser. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  22. ^ @THORPEPARK (27 March 2024). "What are you doing 24th May? Us? We're celebrating our 45th birthday..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Hyperia at Thorpe Park - Train Reveal". YouTube. Thorpe Park. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Thorpe Park Old Town Demolition Begins". themeparkguide.co.uk. Theme Park Guide. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Project Exodus Ride Foundation Footers Delivered". themeparkguide.co.uk. Theme Park Guide. 9 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Project Exodus Footer Markings Appear On The Construction Site For Thorpe Park's New Roller Coaster!". themeparkinsanity.co.uk. Theme Park Insanity. 22 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Ride Supports For Project Exodus Delivered". themeparkguide.co.uk. Theme Park Guide. 22 July 2023.
  28. ^ "Thorpe Park: Project Exodus track arrives!". ukthemeparkspy.co.uk. UK Theme Park Spy. 28 September 2023.
  29. ^ @ParkWorldMag (13 October 2023). "Hyperia- the UK's soon to be fastest and tallest rollercoaster..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ @ThorpeParkMania (11 October 2023). "Hyperia - up close and personal!..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ @J_Silkstone (16 October 2023). "Latest Hyperia construction!! 🏗️🎢..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ @AttractionSc (22 October 2023). "Hyperia's train storage garage foundation is complete, and the building..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ @ThrillPix (6 March 2024). "🏗️ Hyperia @THORPEPARK has now reached its highest point, 236ft..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ @ThemeParkGuide (6 April 2024). "Breaking news!..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "Hyperia Construction Updates – Thorpe Park's new rollercoaster for 2024". thorpepark.com. Thorpe Park Resort. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
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