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, and is the third tallest in the UK after Hyperia and the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. [1] It reaches a height of 62.5 metres (205 ft) and accelerates from 0 to 80 mph (129 km/h).[2] Riders experience a maximum of 4.7 g.[3]
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 when the brake fins are retracted and the train moves forward, attaching to the catch car. Guests also see smoke from below the cars, a feature reintroduced in the 2023 season. Overhead, a series of five red lights illuminate one by one in a horizontal row, as a prerecorded announcement states "Place your heads back, face forwards…" and the lights change to green. 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.[4] The ride's layout is similar to Kingda Ka, although smaller in scope.
During events (such as Fright Nights), a different launch announcement may be used.
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.[5]
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.[6]
