Bizarro (Six Flags New England)

For the roller coaster of the same name at Six Flags Great Adventure, see Bizarro (Six Flags Great Adventure).

Bizarro
Previously known as Superman: Ride of Steel (2000-2009)
Location	Six Flags New England
Park section	DC Superhero Adventures
Coordinates	42°02′19″N 72°36′41″W
Status	Operating
Opened	May 5, 2000 (Opened as Bizarro on May 22, 2009)
Type	Steel - Hypercoaster
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Megacoaster
Track layout	Out & Back and Twister
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	208 ft (63 m)
Drop	221 ft (67 m)
Length	5,400 ft (1,600 m)
Max speed	77 mph (124 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:35
Max vertical angle	72°
Capacity	1300 riders per hour
Max G force	3.6
Height restriction	4 ft 6 in (137 cm)
Flash Pass Available
Single rider line available
Bizarro at RCDB
Pictures of Bizarro at RCDB
Amusement Parks Portal

Bizarro, previously named Superman: The Ride of Steel until 2009, is a steel megacoaster at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. It features a 208-foot (63 m) lift hill, a 221-foot (67 m) drop, and just over 1-mile (1.6 km) of track. The ride shares the same theme as Bizarro, a floorless roller coaster in the Six Flags Great Adventure park.

Since its debut, the roller coaster has been critically acclaimed, winning the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for Best Steel Roller Coaster in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Ride Overview

After the lap bars have been secured, the train leaves the station to climb the 208-foot (63 m) lift hill. To the left of the hill is the Connecticut River, and to the right is the rest of the park. The train drops 221 feet (67 m) into a headchopper tunnel after slowly cresting the hill. The train exits the tunnel, then climbs a second hill before dropping down into a 180+ degree over banked turn similar to the one on Millennium Force. Riders are catapulted between themed buildings, then climb the third and fourth major hills. (The third hill is where the on-ride photo is taken.)

The train crests a small hill marking the beginning of the second part of the ride, completing a clockwise helix. It then jumps over a bunny hill into a counter-clockwise helix. The train makes a right turn drop into a fogged tunnel. Finally, the coaster jumps three bunny hills before banking right and heading into the station.

2009 Re-theming

Bizarro's new logo after the re-theming

Six Flags announced a "transformation" for Superman: The Ride of Steel for the 2009 season. It included a new theme of Superman's evil clone, Bizarro. As a result, the track was repainted purple with dark blue supports. Multiple special effects were added, including building structures and open-aired "S" shields, flame effects, and mist-filled tunnels. No changes were made to the layout or actual track circuit. New trains were specially designed with improved safety features as well as on-board audio. The flame effects have since been removed and will be used on the new Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. The trains were re-themed as well; the 2 rear seats of the 5th car of each train were removed to install electronics and speakers for the on-board audio and took their place, thus shortening the rider capacity of each train to 34. Each train can hear the recording of Bizarro, the character, fighting and talking. At the end of the ride, riders can also hear Bizarro chanting his name and "Bizarro #1".

Accidents and incidents

Main article: Incidents at Six Flags parks

• In 2001, one of the trains failed to stop at the ride's ending due to a severe brake leak, colliding with the other train in the loading station. 22 people were injured.
• In 2004, a man was thrown from his seat during the last turn of the ride and was killed. His death was determined, by investigators, to be caused by (1) the physical size of the victim, (2) his disability (cerebral palsy), and (3) failure of the ride attendant to recognize that the lapbar was inadequately applied. As a result of this incident, modifications were made to the trains, including a component that encompasses the rider's legs.

Safety modifications

During its 9-years in operation, Bizarro has undergone numerous safety upgrades. In 2001, brake lines were reinforced to prevent a sudden loss of pressure, with an additional brake added in 2002/2003. In 2004, metal bars were installed on both sides of the “T-bar” restraint, encasing the rider's legs. Shin cuffs were added to the lower portion of the restraint, preventing riders’ feet from leaving the car. In addition, all of the seat belts on both 36-passenger trains were replaced with ones at a consistent length, as well as a “go or no go” belt for each seat and “T-bar” restraint. The “go or no go” belt ensured the “T-bar” restraint was in an effective position for restraining the riders. In 2006, the “go or no go” belt was removed and replaced with a modern computer system. The new system monitors each individual restraint and determines when the “T-bar” is properly secured. The system does not allow the train to be dispatched until each rider is properly secured. During the 2009 Bizarro rebranding safety was upgraded and new trains were deployed. The new lapbars eliminated the center pole, leaving only the exterior poles. New seat belts provided more strength and were less likely to come undone unintentionally.

Rankings

Golden Ticket Awards: Top Steel Roller Coasters
Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Ranking	10	2	2	1	2	2	1	1	1	1	2	2

NAPHA Survey: Favorite Steel Roller Coaster
Year	2005	2006	2007	2008
Ranking	3	4	2	2

Mitch Hawker's Best Roller Coaster Poll: Best Steel-Tracked Roller Coaster
Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Ranking	-	1	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1

Bizarro/Superman, along with Millennium Force, have held the top two spots in the Golden Ticket Awards poll for the last nine years in a row. Bizarro is praised hugely by the roller coaster community, and the ride is noted for its smoothness and large amount of airtime.

External links

• Six Flags New England's Official Page for Bizarro
• Fan Site
• POV Video of Superman: Ride of Steel
• POV Video of Bizarro – with audio
• Bizarro Detailed Review
• Six Flags New England Fan Site
• Pictures from Bizarro Media Day