[dirkdiggler1992]

Couple pics I took tonight, only stayed till 6 but looked like a pretty decent crowd for a Sunday.

40211CA7-7BA4-447A-8E66-06AFC8C57BF3.jpeg (691.79KiB)Viewed 3455 times

08D46B25-A55F-4681-9D8D-BE253F2CD2FA.jpeg (654.27KiB)Viewed 3455 times

9BA405CA-6A16-4F8A-BF61-118DD3954618.jpeg (774.53KiB)Viewed 3455 times

Edit: In regards to the trailers, my guess is storage for the water park and other stuff throughout the park that needed to be moved for Winterfest due to the event expanding quite a bit this year.

[JWitter]

I was wondering if the trailers were storage for the park and Winterfest. Just surprised there are so many. New coaster is looking great, I enjoyed seeing the progress first hand. Season pass preview night was busier than I expected, but lots of fun.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Nice pictures as always dirk. The park was a lot better in terms of crowds last night vs Sunday. They actually waiting until 4:30 to open the gates for parking. I stayed until about 830 or so. Here are a few more shots, without showing the "same thing" that has already been seen. I love the angle from the water park and I cannot wait until the walls come down this thing is going to be amazing to see.

[CarowindsFan]

I had always heard that loops were not perfect circles because they were not comfortable that way and that is why you almost always see them being ovals. Anyone else worried at how circular these are?

[RollerBee]

I had always heard that loops were not perfect circles because they were not comfortable that way and that is why you almost always see them being ovals. Anyone else worried at how circular these are?

Nope, I trust Mack Rides.

[uscbandfan]

I had always heard that loops were not perfect circles because they were not comfortable that way and that is why you almost always see them being ovals. Anyone else worried at how circular these are?

I thought the same thing initially. I have heard that. Something about causing neck injuries due to the intense G-forces pulled in the tight radius. Also something about the gravity effect at the top of the loop pulling down due to the slowness at the top.

But then I remembered back to White Lightnin' which had a circular loop and it was fine. At least to my recollection. I rode it "a million" times and don't remember being uncomfortable in the loop.

Also, with being upside down for longer lengths of time in modern coasters, especially the GCI woodies, it's probably a more of a feature to be slow at the top of the loop rather than a concern.

[dirkdiggler1992]

Schwarzkopf (White Lightning) was known for their more forceful circular loops. There’s a lot of work that goes into engineering these rides and they can rather accurately predetermine what forces will be felt during these moments to make sure they remain fun and comfortable. No reason to worry, besides at 42 mph & roughly 50 mph you’re going to notice hangtime more than the positives I’m sure.

[Glitch99]

The train looses a lot more energy in a circle loop than in an oval/teardrop. It limits the design options for the rest of the ride. I think that's the biggest factor in the type of loop used. And it isn't a coincident that each of our loops are placed immediately coming out of each launch.

Consider how the Scream Weaver and Southern Star consist solely of a circular loop, without causing injuries.

[coasterbruh]

And it isn't a coincident that each of our loops are placed immediately coming out of each launch.

Only one loop is immediately after a launch . . .

[Glitch99]

And it isn't a coincident that each of our loops are placed immediately coming out of each launch.

Only one loop is immediately after a launch . . .

Bah. I was remembering it being orientated the other way. My bad.

[JWitter]

I had always heard that loops were not perfect circles because they were not comfortable that way and that is why you almost always see them being ovals. Anyone else worried at how circular these are?

My understanding is that's the case for higher speed loops, these are airtime loops where the train goes slower through the loop.

[coasterbruh]

Airtime loops? Care to explain more on what that means? From my understanding, the clothoid style loops were designed to reduce the forces entering and exiting the loop. it seems Mack has come up with some precise calculations to perfect a more circular loop (that isn't a corkscrew) and keep safe forces on riders. I went looked at their latest coasters with a vertical loop and this seems to be the first like this.

[uscbandfan]

airtime loops = hangtime loops

[Coasterphreak]

Regarding the tractor trailers: I seem to recall hearing in years past that Carowinds leases out part of the parking lot to logistics companies during the holiday season as overflow parking.

[MarkD]

Loops shape explained?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=zLQuf8N-mGw