Stealth (roller coaster)

This article is about the launched roller coaster located in Thorpe Park. For the flying roller coaster formerly at Paramount's Great America, see Nighthawk (roller coaster).

Stealth
Stealth in 2024
Thorpe Park
Location	Thorpe Park
Park section	Amity
Coordinates	51.405°N 0.515278°W / 51.405; -0.515278
Status	Operating
Opening date	15 March 2006 (2006-03-15)
Cost	£12 Million
General statistics
Type	Steel – Launched
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Accelerator Coaster
Lift/launch system	Hydraulic launch track
Height	62.5 m (205 ft)
Length	400.0 m (1,312.3 ft)
Speed	80 mph (129 km/h)
Inversions	0
Max vertical angle	90°
G-force	4.7
Height restriction	140–196 cm (4 ft 7 in – 6 ft 5 in)
Trains	3 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 20 riders per train.
Theme	Speedway
Website	Official website
Fastrack available
Wheelchair accessible
Must transfer from wheelchair
Stealth at RCDB

Stealth is a launched roller coaster in the Amity area of Thorpe Park located in Surrey, England. Built and designed by Intamin of Switzerland for £12 million, the Accelerator Coaster model opened in 2006 as the fastest roller coaster in the UK before being passed by Hyperia in 2024. It is also the third tallest in the UK after Hyperia and the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It reaches a height of 62.5 metres (205 ft) and accelerates from 0 to 80 mph (129 km/h). Riders experience a maximum of 4.7 g.

Ride experience

When the passengers board the ride, the noise of a car engine revving can be heard in the station audio loop. After passengers are securely restrained, the launch sequence begins with the brake fins lined along the launch track retracting, the train is moved forward by two retractable friction wheels before rolling backwards, attaching to the catch car below. While this is happening riders will also see smoke from below the cars, a feature reintroduced in the 2023 season. Overhead, a series of five red traffic lights illuminate one by one in a horizontal row, as a pre-recorded announcement states "Place your heads back, face forwards…" before the lights change to green as the train launches. The voice in the recording enthusiastically shouts “Three, two, one, GO GO GO!” followed by the sound of tires screeching. The train launches, quickly accelerating to 80 mph (130 km/h) into a vertical top hat element, with a height of 62.5 metres (205 ft). The train turns 90 degrees to the left as it crests the top hat and makes another 90-degree left turn as it descends. After reaching the bottom, the train enters an airtime hill, which produces a brief sensation of weightlessness before the train enters the magnetic brake run and returns to the station. The ride's layout is similar to Kingda Ka, although narrower in scope.

During events (such as Fright Nights), a different launch announcement may be used.

Rollbacks

As with many Intamin Launch Coasters, Stealth experiences occasional rollbacks, which occur when a train is unable to complete the course, specifically failing to make it over the top hat element as a result of energy loss. Occurrences are rare, and there is a braking system in place on the launch side of the track to safely bring the roller coaster back to a complete stop. However, rollbacks are safe, and all staff/engineers are trained to safely evacuate guests off the train.

2024 revamp

For the 2024 season, Stealth's station and entrance areas have been completely repainted and the theming has been enhanced as part of the Sparkle Project, an ongoing scheme to give the park a facelift.

Stealth's entrance in 2009

Stealth's entrance in 2024

External links

• Stealth at Thorpe Park