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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reinforced its reputation as Florida's premier thrill-packed adventure park on May 21, 2005 by unveiling SheiKra, the nation's first dive coaster. Set among the jungle ruins of a once-mighty African civilization, SheiKra carries riders up 200 feet at 45 degrees, then hurtle them 70 mph back toward the ground at a 90-degree angle. It is the first coaster of its kind in the Americas and only the third in the world. Similar diving coasters in England and Taiwan can't match the height, speed and intensity SheiKra offers. SheiKra is also the first dive coaster to incorporate an Immelmann loop, a water feature, and a second 90-degree, 138-foot drop through an underground tunnel. The ride also includes a 360-degree climbing carousel. SheiKra's 3,188 feet of steel track offers a total ride time of just over three minutes.
| Year | Track | Type | Designer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Steel | Dive Coaster, Multielement | Bolliger and Mabillard |
| Height: 200 feet | Drop: 195 feet |
| Angle Of Descent: 90 degrees | Top Speed: 70 mph |
| Length: 3,188 feet | Inversions: 1 |
| Trains: 5 - 24 passenger | Train Mfg: Bolliger and Mabillard |
| Ride Time: 3 minutes |
Estimated cost: $13.5 million
May 28, 2007 - Last day of operation with original trains.
June 16, 2007 - SheiKra reopens with brand-new "floorless" trains.
Trains have three cars with one row each, seating eight abreast per row.
Height requirement: Must be at least 54 inches tall
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