Reviews: Storm Runner brings Vertical Horsepower

Posted at 2:59 PM EDT (1859 GMT)

May. 8th, 2004 -- When Milton S. Hershey created Hersheypark as a place of leisure along Spring Creek for employees in 1907, I doubt he would've envisioned what has become of his humble picnic ground today. Hersheypark opened with a baseball game and featured boating, picnic grounds and canoeing. In the following years, a merry-go-round and train were added.

In the 1970s, plans were made to turn Hersheypark into a world-class theme park. Many rides were added in the 70s, including Sooperdooperlooper and Trailblazer. Trailblazer was the first coaster to be added to the park in over 30 years, and Looper was the first looping coaster on the East Coast. Hersheypark was starting something special.

It wasn't until the 1990's when Hersheypark began to push the limits of thrills. In 1996, Hersheypark introduced the first Great Coasters International, Inc. wooden coaster, Wildcat, which has been critically acclaimed by wooden coaster enthusiasts. 1998 brought Great Bear, a unique Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster. In 2000, Hersheypark and GCII teamed up to bring us Lightning Racer, the world's first racing and dueling coaster. These three coasters have made a major impact on Hersheypark, which still maintains its wonderful landscaping and well-rounded family atmosphere.

For their 97th season, Hersheypark brings us another unique roller coaster, Storm Runner. Billed as the first hydraulically launched coaster with inversions, this bright red scream machine calls the Pioneer Frontier section of the park home. As you enter the park, there isn't much to ogle about Storm Runner; Only the Top Hat and Cobra Loop are visible. The station sits next to Sidewinder, and features two loading sides for maximum efficiency. Once I entered the station for the first time, I noticed Storm Runner's odd looking restraints. Storm Runner features soft over the shoulder restraints with a lapbar molded to the OTSRs. While they look like giant torture devices, they're actually efficient and comfortable. I boarded the bright yellow trains, which give you a great view from any seat of the surroundings.

The train began to lurch forward as all of the media on board began the clap. The anticipation and excitement begins to mount as the train comes to a stop on the launching area. Red track stretches ahead as the 150-foot tall vertical ascent looms large. The magnetic brakes drop with a rush of air and the train drifts back. A recording comes on the speakers that made me jump ... can we just go yet?

Milliseconds after that thought passes through my mind ... WHAM! I get pushed back into my seat as we blaze up to 72 mph in under two seconds. Whistle Stop restaurant rushes by and before I realized what was happening, I was staring at the sun, rushing toward the top of the Top Hat. The train slows as we near the top, then like a swift kick in the rear, I am lifted out of my seat as that precious moment of airtime gets the adrenaline flowing.

No sooner than I am lifted from the seat, I stare down, 180 feet straight down as screams fill the morning sky. Still feeling the airtime, the train rushes down into the valley below ... 60 ... 65 ... 70 ... 75 mph as we go from being out of our seats to the positive Gs pushing us back into our chariot of fire. As we fly toward Dolphin Stadium, we roll into the Cobra Loop, which gives a brief moment of hangtime. Momentum gathers as we plunge down toward the midway and towards the in-line twist. We are popped out of our seat as the train levels off before the in-line twist. Before I can blink, the in-line twist grabs me out of the air and my stomach rushes towards my throat and back down. Before I can catch my breath, I am thrown back upside-down as Storm Runner enters its shining moment, the Flying Snake Dive. The train drops out from underneath as it gathers another head of steam.

We bottom out and a truly frightening sight lies ahead. The white steel of the monorail gets closer ... and closer ... and closer. The monorail rushes past us as we are thrown to the right then to the left as Trailblazer's station blows by like a breeze. The train rushes up one more glorious airtime hill as we are pushed to the top of the restraints and brought back down as we hit the brake run and catch our breath.

Storm Runner is marketed as a sixty-second roller coaster, but it is so fast and well-paced that it feels more like 30 seconds of mayhem stretched out over 2,600 feet of track. While most experts would think that that Storm Runner is best in the back seat, I found the ride was more exciting in the front with a little extra airtime than the backseat. What really make the ride great are its surroundings. It interacts with three other rides (Trailblazer, Monorail and Dry Gulch Railroad), and Hersheypark kept as many trees as possible around the ride. It's always the little things that matter, and thankfully Hersheypark realized that. Storm Runner is a world-class ride at a world-class park, and anyone who passes the chance to ride Storm Runner is a fool. There's a storm forming over Hershey, Pennsylvania, and it's unlike any storm you've ever seen or experienced...

Storm Runner Vitals:
- Length: 2,600 feet
- Height: 150 feet
- Maximum Drop: 180 feet
- Drop Angle: 90 degrees
- Maximum Speed: 75 mph
- Inversions: 3 (Cobra Roll, In-Line Twist, Flying Snake Dive)
- Launch Speed: 0 to 72 mph in under 2 seconds
- Capacity: 1,200 riders per hour
- Manufacturer: Intamin AG, Switzerland

[Editor's Note: Due to Storm Runner breaking down earlier than expected on Media Day, there is a lack of "in action" photos. -BW]

Visit ThrillNetwork's Storm Runner Gallery.

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