Mick Doohan's Motocoaster
Encyclopedia
Mick Doohan's Motocoaster is a 605 metres (1,984.9 ft) long motorcycle roller coaster at Dreamworld
on Queensland's Gold Coast
. The A$10 million ride, constructed by Intamin and opened to the public in September 2007, is associated with Australian motorcyclist Mick Doohan. It is the first motorcycle coaster in Australia, the first Intamin MotorBike Launch Coaster worldwide, and the first to feature life-size replicas of 500 cc racing bikes. The ride was heavily advertised, and has proven to perform well at the park. It is also the first motorbike launch coaster in Australia and the first Intamin motorbike launch coaster worldwide.
In its debut year, the coaster was "narrowly beaten by a 1989 Vekoma ride
for the title of world's worst steel roller coaster": the coaster ranked 356th out of the 357 coasters in the Best Steel Roller Coaster Poll. The ride was rated higher in 2008, coming in at number 278 of 392.
ride, requiring their relocation to the Australian Wildlife Experience section of the park. The ride is the first constructed at Dreamworld in three years.
, Minister for the Gold Coast, and Stacey McMahon, a 125 cc rider and spokesperson for the GMC Australian Grand Prix, were there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mick Doohan did not personally attend the event due to participation in the Japan Grand Prix
, but submitted a pre-recorded video in which he stated: "I am extremely proud to see the end result, I have really enjoyed working with Dreamworld, the new attraction truly celebrates and pays respect to a great Australian sport and its achievements."
Through to 26 March 2008, the ride is credited with increasing Dreamworld's revenue by 8.8% to A$50.68 million. Park attendance by local residents spiked significantly following the launch of the coaster, although there was a decline in both interstate and international visitors during the same period.
The ride has two cameras: one on the launch run, the other halfway through the ride. The ride's queue features informational decorations that teach about the history of motorcycle racing. Riders must be 130 centimetres (51.2 in) in height to ride on the main motorcycle cars and 110 centimetres (43.3 in) tall to ride in the sidecars. The ride is estimated to handle 746 passengers per hour, and has a launch speed of 72 kilometres per hour (44.7 mph) in two seconds due to its hydraulic system, the second of its kind worldwide.
Dreamworld
Dreamworld is a large theme park situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is currently Australia's largest theme park with over 27 rides including 4 roller coasters. The park is made up of several themed lands: Ocean Parade, Kid's World, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger...
on Queensland's Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
. The A$10 million ride, constructed by Intamin and opened to the public in September 2007, is associated with Australian motorcyclist Mick Doohan. It is the first motorcycle coaster in Australia, the first Intamin MotorBike Launch Coaster worldwide, and the first to feature life-size replicas of 500 cc racing bikes. The ride was heavily advertised, and has proven to perform well at the park. It is also the first motorbike launch coaster in Australia and the first Intamin motorbike launch coaster worldwide.
In its debut year, the coaster was "narrowly beaten by a 1989 Vekoma ride
Goudurix
Goudurix is a steel roller coaster located Parc Astérix in France. The Vekoma built ride jointly held the world record for the greatest number of inversions upon its opening in 1989. The record was lost in 1995 to Dragon Khan in Spain. It is one of only two coasters in the world to feature a...
for the title of world's worst steel roller coaster": the coaster ranked 356th out of the 357 coasters in the Best Steel Roller Coaster Poll. The ride was rated higher in 2008, coming in at number 278 of 392.
Construction
The coaster was constructed in the Rivertown section of the park, on the site of the Avis Vintage CarsAvis Vintage Cars
Avis Vintage Cars is a vintage car ride at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Australia...
ride, requiring their relocation to the Australian Wildlife Experience section of the park. The ride is the first constructed at Dreamworld in three years.
Opening
The coaster ran its first official laps but did not open to the public until 30 September 2007. Margaret KeechMargaret Keech
Margaret Majella Keech is an Australian politician and is a member of for the Labor Party.In 2001 she was the first woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the seat of Albert and is currently the Government Whip...
, Minister for the Gold Coast, and Stacey McMahon, a 125 cc rider and spokesperson for the GMC Australian Grand Prix, were there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mick Doohan did not personally attend the event due to participation in the Japan Grand Prix
Japan Grand Prix
The Japan Grand Prix was an annual professional wrestling tournament held by the promotion All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling to determine the number one contender for the promotion's highest achievement, the WWWA World Heavyweight Championship. The tournament was held in the summer every year from...
, but submitted a pre-recorded video in which he stated: "I am extremely proud to see the end result, I have really enjoyed working with Dreamworld, the new attraction truly celebrates and pays respect to a great Australian sport and its achievements."
Economic impact
Marketing for the ride contributed to a decline in Dreamworld's operating margins during the final two quarters of 2007.Through to 26 March 2008, the ride is credited with increasing Dreamworld's revenue by 8.8% to A$50.68 million. Park attendance by local residents spiked significantly following the launch of the coaster, although there was a decline in both interstate and international visitors during the same period.
Ride mechanics
The ride is an Intamin MotorBike Launch Coaster. The track is 605 metres (1,984.9 ft) long and features 18 banks, bends, and turns. Riders sit on full-scale replica 500 cc racing bikes arranged in eight cars with two riders per car. This includes 14 motorcycle seats and two sidecar seats in the rear. There are two trains, which are launched by a flywheel track. The sidecars were initially designed to be in the middle of the trains. Riders are held on the ride through a clamshell restraint system, where the top part of the bike folds over the rider's legs.The ride has two cameras: one on the launch run, the other halfway through the ride. The ride's queue features informational decorations that teach about the history of motorcycle racing. Riders must be 130 centimetres (51.2 in) in height to ride on the main motorcycle cars and 110 centimetres (43.3 in) tall to ride in the sidecars. The ride is estimated to handle 746 passengers per hour, and has a launch speed of 72 kilometres per hour (44.7 mph) in two seconds due to its hydraulic system, the second of its kind worldwide.