[TheSeaWhippet]

We also checked out the Loop-O-Plane and Scat at Mint Madness SAT night. Both rides are in excellent shape.

Spoke briefly with the owner -- Highlite Rides based in Greer, SC. They operate and play machines at various corporate events and outings.

The owner told us that he has another, older Loop-O-Plane (Red, white and blue) that is still gas powered. He converted the LOP on-site from gas to electric drive.

Highlite Rides' web site is down at the moment but several of their rides (including a Scat II video) can be seen for sale by clicking on the Highlite Rides button at:

<a href='http://usedrides.com' target='_blank'>http://usedrides.com</a>


S&B

Check here for a few shots of the fair:

<a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/7505501@N02/sets/' target='_blank'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/7505501@N02/sets/</a>

Images/TR of Cleveland County Fair coming later ...

[bgwfreak]

I can't believe another CCer went to Mint Hill Madness. lol

I had a good time and the funnel cake was awesome too.

[TheSeaWhippet]

After our trip to the Cleveland County Fair, we went to MHM specifically to shoot the Loop-O-Plane and Scat. It's not every day that one see these old classics on the midway.

The funnel cake smelled great!

[bgwfreak]

Nice pics!

I didn't feel like bringing the camera and wearing a fanny pack and all that, so I didn't take any pics of my own.

[swampfox43]

I heard the Mint Hill SCAT was running very fast. I just can't stomach these spinning rides any more. After watching the SCAT II at Beech Bend Park last year I knew I wasn't riding one of these again.

Anyone seen a <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsTempest1.jpg' target='_blank'>TEMPEST</a> or <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsHustler.jpg' target='_blank'>HUSTLER</a> at these fairs? These are brutal rides, moreso than they appear at first glance. They are becomming hard to find as well, especially the HUSTLER'S. I could probably still ride one though......maybe. :huh:

This <a href='http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/novelty_rides.php' target='_blank'>LINK</a> shows a Hustler (scroll to near the bottom) along with other so-called "novelty" rides.

[bgwfreak]

I heard the Mint Hill SCAT was running very fast. I just can't stomach these spinning rides any more. After watching the SCAT II at Beech Bend Park last year I knew I wasn't riding one of these again.

Anyone seen a <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsTempest1.jpg' target='_blank'>TEMPEST</a> or <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsHustler.jpg' target='_blank'>HUSTLER</a> at these fairs? These are brutal rides, moreso than they appear at first glance. They are becomming hard to find as well, especially the HUSTLER'S. I could probably still ride one though......maybe. :huh:

This <a href='http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/novelty_rides.php' target='_blank'>LINK</a> shows a Hustler (scroll to near the bottom) along with other so-called "novelty" rides.

When I was getting off the Scat the guy said "People were getting sick earlier today, so I had to slow it down a bit. I think he said from 7mph to 5mph".

It was plenty intense at the "slower" speed whatever it was. It didn't make me sick at all, but when it started to slow down it did make me a bit dizzy.

That's the only flat I've been on that feels just like riding TTD in the front! Seriously! The same sensation of your face peeling off is on this ride. lol

I've never see the other 2 rides, or if I did I don't recall. I've only recently gotten into trying out more flats. Although I usually avoid the spinners. I als skipped the Scat 2 at BB.

[evaninmatthews]

Anyone seen a <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsTempest1.jpg' target='_blank'>TEMPEST</a> or <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsHustler.jpg' target='_blank'>HUSTLER</a> at these fairs?

They had a tempest at matthews alive for the past 2 years, but, your a month late!!

[Dukeis#1]

Anyone seen a <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsTempest1.jpg' target='_blank'>TEMPEST</a> or <a href='http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index/WatkinsHustler.jpg' target='_blank'>HUSTLER</a> at these fairs? These are brutal rides, moreso than they appear at first glance. They are becomming hard to find as well, especially the HUSTLER'S. I could probably still ride one though......maybe. :huh:

<a href='http://www.colerides.com/' target='_blank'>Cole Shows</a> (A very small traveling amusement company based in Virginia) has a Tempest as well as a Scat. They do several smaller county fairs here in western North Carolina:

<a href='http://www.colerides.com/scat.html' target='_blank'>Cole Scat</a>

<a href='http://www.colerides.com/tempst.html' target='_blank'>Cole Tempest</a>

The Scat is cool - very intense, however their Tempest has to be the most uncomfortable flat ride I've ever been on.

The REAL gem that this little company use to have was the ultra-rare <a href='http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/rides/radar/' target='_blank'>Chance Radar</a>. Unfortunately it seems they got rid of it at some point...probably ended up in the scrap heap considering it would have been around 30+ years old. It was a very fun ride, as the speed of the wheels caused the seats to recline back a bit, plus you were being pinned to the side of the chair like what happens on a Scrambler.

Countless times I saw kids blow chunks on the ride. I guess all the motion does a number on Cotton Candy filled stomachs, despite the lack of real intensity.