Kings Island coaster to hit speed of 80mph


August 7, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Kings Island coaster to hit speed of 80mph

MASON, Ohio (AP) — A new roller coaster at Kings Island will be about a mile long and hit speeds of 80 mph, the amusement park said Wednesday.

The three-minute ride will begin with a 215-foot plunge, wind through more drops and twists and end in a splash. Riders will sit in trains with open-air, stadium-style seating, the park said.

The Diamondback is to open in April at the park north of Cincinnati. It will be the tallest and fastest coaster at the amusement park and also will feature drops of 193, 131, 129, 110 and 106 feet.

Diamondback marks the park’s 15th and most costly roller coaster at $22 million.

Kings Island is owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.