Get set to hurtle at a jaw-dropping 241km/h on the world's fastest - and the UAE's tallest - roller-coaster
* By Derek Baldwin, Senior Reporter * Published: 00:00 January 28, 2010
* Claus Frimand, Ferrari World's General Manager
* Image Credit: Supplied
* The two-kilometre-long ride tips 50 metres at its highest point
* Image Credit: Supplied
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park on Yas Island is gearing up to open the fastest roller coaster on earth, catapulting thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies at 241km/h (150 miles per hour) along the rails, XPRESS can reveal.
Aptly dubbed the ‘F1 Coaster' on an Aldar Properties' animation video, the two-kilometre-long ride sports the trademark Ferrari-red Formula One car as it blasts off from the world's largest indoor theme park and streaks skyward across a high arch, then dips and rolls at breakneck speed.
The coaster arch is the highest of its kind in the UAE, so high that it had to be capped at 50 metres to avoid interfering with planes making their final approach to Abu Dhabi airport, an official told XPRESS during an exclusive tour of the world's first Ferrari theme park this week.
Claus Frimand, Ferrari World's General Manager, remains tightlipped about the official top speed, but confirmed that it will "be the fastest roller coaster in the world at 200km/h plus" when it opens later this year. The entry will mark the first time that a Middle East thrill ride has earned a mention within the World's Top-10 list for fastest roller coasters.
Frimand said the new F1 Coaster will "emulate the thrilling sensation of being in a Ferrari F1 car", a rather appropriate theme, given the park sits directly to the north of the new Yas Island F1 racetrack which thrilled billions during the inaugural Formula One races last year. The coaster car will be hydraulically launched to reach top speed on the steel track and will essentially spend the remainder of the ride slowing down, he said.
According to Roller Coaster DataBase (a database on over 2,000 roller coasters across the world), the F1 Coaster will be a sit-down model being constructed by Swiss firm Intamin Amusements.
Successful track record
Intamin officials couldn't be reached, but their website stated that the company relies on "successful development and implementation of newest technologies… achieving breathtaking thrust and speed up to and above 200km/h."
A separate second roller coaster listed as the "Emotion Coaster", according to Roller Coaster, is being built at Ferrari World by European firm Maurer Sohne and will have two parallel tracks on which two coaster vehicles seemingly race side-by-side on a smaller course.
Frimand declined to elaborate further, noting "we want to hold something back for opening day".
At first glance, the most stunning feature of the monolithic indoor Ferrari park that's set to open in the second half of 2010 is the gigantic red roof which is inspired by the "classic double-curve side of the Ferrari GT body" and spanning 200,000 square metres. Splashed across the four-tentacled roof is the familiar Ferrari yellow crest with its lifted black horse - the crest measures 65 metres by 48.5 metres.
The roof covers 925,704 square feet of all things Ferrari in the indoor park, ranging from 20 virtual dark rides, six restaurants, the largest Ferrari store in the world, tours and the central feature of the building - a 62 metre tall drop tower called the G-force. Twenty vintage Ferraris, of course, will also be on display throughout.
The multi-sensory park is designed to celebrate the story of Enzo Anselmo Ferrari (1898-1988) who started Ferrari in Italy in 1943 with his first car, the 125 S, according to the Ferrari company website, and went on to build a fleet of stylish, expensive and highly sought-after ultra sports cars.
Licensed by Ferrari, the park is owned by Aldar Properties and managed by Farah Leisure Parks Management.
Upon entering the indoor park, a menagerie of virtual animated rides and tours housed in their own large building boxes awaits visitors under one roof. In each box, so-called dark rides will offer visitors a "full day experience". said Frimand.
The Ferrari History Ride tees up the park visit from the humble beginnings of Ferrari through to today with animated and actual film sequences accumulated from more than 60 years of operations.
Touring Italy will take visitors in Ferrari cars through the sights and wonders of Ferrari's fatherland while the Children's Driving Area offers a driving school for children which awards mini Ferrari licences. For the first time, Ferrari insider facts and footage will be unveiled publicly for the Factory Tour.
The Engine Ride promises more thrills for visitors who will tour a larger-than-life Ferrari V-12 engine and be treated to a grasp of the inner workings of the powerful Ferrari displacements that have propelled the company across the world's top racing finish lines. F1 Racing will allow visitors to climb behind the driver's wheel of a life-sized Ferrari Formula One car and experience the thrill of racing in a simulator used by actual drivers, Frimand said.
Another ride will allow F1 enthusiasts to choose the options they like for racing on their racing car before a computer-animated race takes place. When the race is over, the choices will be graded.
World's top 10 Roller Coaster rides by speed
1 Kingda Ka - 206km/h; Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey
2 Top Thrill Dragster - 193km/h; Cedar Point, Saundusky, Ohio
3 Dodonpa - 172km/h; Fuji-Q Highland, Yamanshi, Japan
4 TIE: Tower of Terror - 161km/h; Dreamworld, Queensland, Australia and Superman The Escape - 161km/h - Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California
First pictures of the Ferrari GT Coaster Ride vehicle revealed
The announcement of the Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi has caused much excitement among Ferrari fans and enthusiasts. Here is one more cause for excitement. The first picture of the car of the GT roller coaster at this theme car has been released. The GT roller coaster is one of 20 amazing rides and attraction at this amazing theme park. Every vehicle on this GT coaster ride is a replica of a Ferrari F430 Spider that can seat up to four people. According to Ferrari the GT coaster will send two competing roller coaster carriages dashing along twisting parallel tracks on a race to the finish line. Besides this unique coaster, the theme park is all also rumored to feature an F1 ride which is said to be world's fastest roller coaster traveling at speeds in excess of 200 km/h! :banana:
From zero to scream in 2.5 seconds: race to have world's fastest roller coaster
Matt Kwong * Last Updated: March 18. 2010 1:47AM UAE / March 17. 2010 9:47PM GMT
Ferrari World's two roller coasters will both have F1 themes. Jaime Puebla / The National
ABU DHABI // The race to crown the king of roller coasters has shifted into high gear.
Two attractions with Formula One themes and built next to Grand Prix race tracks – one at Ferrari World on Yas Island, the other the Ring Racer at the Nurburgring in Nuremburg, Germany are hurtling towards completion this year.
At stake? The title of the world’s fastest roller coaster. And by late this year, the champion is expected to be crowned.
The Ferrari World park manager Andy Keeling is unequivocal that the coaster on Yas Island will be in the record books when the park opens.
“The Formula One coaster … will be the fastest roller coaster in the world,” he said, introducing the world’s largest indoor theme park.
The current champion is the Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, with a top speed of 206 kph.
Ferrari World and Nurburgring expect their rides to top that.
Nurburgring’s Ring Racer is being touted as capable of reaching a heart-slamming 217 kph, although it reportedly failed to reach that speed when it was tested last year. The ride was expected to open last summer but ran into last-minute problems and had to be shut down for more work.
Nurburgring’s press officer, Stefanie Hohn, downplayed the competition, although she said yesterday that she has monitored developments at Ferrari World closely.
“Abu Dhabi and Germany, well, we’re not quite rivals because of the distance between the countries,” she said. “But when it comes to the coasters, they’re pretty similar because of the F1 theme.
“We’re not concerned about it. I’m interested [in Ferrari World’s F1 ride] because it’s a coaster that has a racetrack as well, and that makes things even more interesting.
“Something great is going on in Abu Dhabi, but my concern and my need is for the Ring Racer to work.”
Claus Frimand, the general manager of Ferrari World, is well aware of Ring Racer. In a statement yesterday, he reiterated: “Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will house the world’s fastest roller coaster when it opens.”
A Ferrari World spokesman would not reveal the coaster’s acceleration. For its part, the Ring Racer’s website claims it will be able to reach maximum speed in less than 2.5 seconds – double the acceleration of a Formula One car.
While Ferrari World has revealed little about its signature ride, it released the first image this week of another high-speed attraction – a “duelling roller coaster” that would simulate the feeling of a drag race between two Ferrari F430 Spiders.
“There are two tracks and two trains,” Mr Keeling said, describing the experience of two carriages rocketing along at 95 kph on twisting parallel tracks. Overtaking manoeuvres, twists and speed changes are expected.
The tentatively named “GT Coaster” is among more than 20 rides and attractions to be housed in the 86,000-square-metre park.
David Arnold, 36, a Dubai resident from the UK who estimates he has ridden on more than 120 roller coasters, hoped to be among the first to experience the rides when they open this year.
“There’s not very many roller coasters in the UAE and nothing really big compared to what they’re building in Abu Dhabi,” said Mr Arnold, 36.
Mr Arnold said the fastest ride he has experienced was Japan’s Dodonpa roller coaster, which has a speed of 172 kph. If Ferrari World’s ride can exceed Ring Racer’s 217 kph target, the thrill would be hard to fathom, he said.
“Compared to anything I’ve ridden, it’s going to be very fast, very crazy and very exciting.”
The water park will be the latest addition to Yas Island
Aldar seeks main contractor for Yas water park
by Ben Roberts on Jun 15, 2010
Aldar Properties PJSC has already started the prequalification process for its planned water park on Yas Island, its major leisure and entertainment destination.
The property developer has also received the conceptual planning approval from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and has appointed UK-based Atkins as lead designer for the project, which is to begin construction next month and will be complete in 2012.
The 16.4 hectares water park will feature more 40 rides and will join attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari theme park which opens on 28th October; Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; Yas Links, the region’s first true links golf course which opened in March; and seven hotels including The Yas Hotel.
Sami Asad, chief operating officer of Aldar Properties, added that the water park adds to the other features that will set Yas Island apart “as a major leisure destination and will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a great place to live, work and visit”.
Last month the company brought the first Geant supermarket to Yas Island and gained support for its (Leadership Excellence Applied Diploma) Programme from the Tourism & Development and Investment Company (TDIC), which aims to sponsor a new generation of UAE leaders.
The company made a net loss of AED314.2 million for the first quarter of 2010 against a profit of AED888.6 million for the same period the previous year. Lower than anticipated land and property sales were attributed by the company for the loss. Investment in key projects fell by almost two-thirds, falling to AED1.604 billion from AED4.5987 billion during last year’s first quarter.
Aldar Properties on Sunday announced plans to build a huge waterpark on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, with construction starting next month.
The 16.4 hectares water park will feature more than 40 rides and attractions including four one-of-a-kind rides that have never been seen before in a water park.
Aldar said it has already received planning approval from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and has appointed the UK-based Atkins as lead designer for the project.
Aldar has also initiated the prequalification process for main contractors for the project and construction work will begin in July. The project is scheduled for delivery in 2012.
Sami Asad, chief operating officer of Aldar Properties, said: "The water park will bring in another distinct feature to Yas Island, further diversifying its already impressive offering.
"It will be a valuable addition to the other attractions that will set Yas Island apart as a major leisure destination and will reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a great place to live, work and visit."
The Water Park joins a range of recreational attractions at Yas Island such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's first Ferrari theme park and largest attraction of its kind, which is due to on October 28.
Yas Island is also home to Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Links, the region's first true links golf course, and seven hotels including The Yas Hotel, the first hotel in the world to span a Grand Prix circuit.
The starting grid for Grand Prix tickets in Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall yesterday. Lauren Lancaster / The National. Tickets were also open only for UAE residents yesterday and sales are on for a limited period at a discounted price. Courtesy ADMM
Last Updated: May 17. 2010 5:42PM UAE / May 17. 2010 1:42PM GMT
Forty per cent of grandstand tickets for November’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were purchased by 11am this morning, Yas Marina Circuit officials said.
UAE residents and race fans in Europe lead the charge for seats as tickets went on sale a day after thousands of tickets were sold exclusively in the emirates.
“We’re very pleased with the strong demand for tickets,” Richard Cregan, chief executive officer of Yas Marina Circuit, said in a statement. “I believe we captivated the racing world with our inaugural event last year and clearly we are building a loyal and committed following.”
Yas Marina Circuit officials are keen to retain their perfect safety record
by Carlin Gerbich on May 13, 2010
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit has implemented a raft of safety changes ahead of the second ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in November.
Speaking to Construction Week, circuit HSE manager Saeed Al Semaihi said that though the circuit’s inaugural event ran without a hitch last year, there was still a “snagging list” of small improvements the circuit owners had worked through to improve crowd safety and access.
“Circuit management, and even the crown prince himself, have the safety of its customers as our top priority – so we are keen to make as many improvements to the venue as possible,” Samaihi said.
“Of course, F1 is a dangerous sport – and there was some reluctance from the teams when we approached them about safety.”
“We didn’t want to have people drive at 10mph around the circuit, but there are things you can do – on not do – to reduce risk. Drivers doing circles and that sort of thing.” But they understood. We were very keen to make sure that the event ran smoothly, so we asked they talk to their drivers.”
Many of the improvements had been made immediately after the event and were in place before the running of the next major motorsport race, the opening round of the Australian Supercars series in February this year .
“There were a few minor crowd issues we needed to address. More signs, additional stairways – that sort of thing – to help crowds enter and exit the venue more freely,” Samaihi said.
Though extensive work went in to the safe construction of the venue and the crowd control measures, there was always room for improvement. Detailed planning eliminates many issues, but it wasn’t until large crowds filtered in to the circuit and the venue was used by vast numbers that potential improvement could he highlighted.
Advance tickets for this year's event, between 12-14 November, go on sale later this month. Ticket sales for UAE residents open ahead of those for the rest of the world.
The Yas Hotel is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's City Centre; a ten-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's International Airport and a 50-minute drive from the Dubai Marina area
*Image Credit: Supplied
When told I was going for a weekend at The Yas Hotel, the prospect of pampering and lounging by the pool was too tempting to refuse.
This was the first time I would see the hotel at night. The drive across Yas Island towards the purple-lit lonely-looking armadillo, although exciting, made me feel a little sorry for the peculiar structure perched all alone in the distance.
As my husband, who had a fractured leg, and I rolled up to the main entrance, we were immediately struck by the bright white interiors.
Porters struggled to disembark our over packed bags — OK, just mine — as we walked slowly to the reception. What would take a healthy individual a few brisk strides took us much longer, as my husband hobbled along on his crutches. However, we later found that wheelchairs are available upon request. The check-in was swift, despite people pouring in for the WWE fight the next night. The staff at the reception was friendly and efficient but when they handed over the room key and pointed us in the direction of the lift, I felt slightly disoriented.
The interior ground floor, except the lobby area, is made up of two connecting corridors with abstract art — one of which leads to the Marina Wing of the hotel.
A taste of India
We lunched at the hotel's Indian restaurant, Angar, ideal for weekend meals. After much indecision, we settled on prawn curry and grilled lamb with steamed rice. We were treated to a selection of four dips — the tastiest of which was the mango and mint chutney — with crispy poppadoms. To cool our palate half way through a fiery meal, we ordered a side of mint yoghurt dip, which was delicious with the fluffy warm naan bread, baked in-house in a tandoor oven. Diners have the option of sitting indoors or outdoors on the terrace with a view of the racetrack. However, outdoors the flies seemed to enjoy our food as much as we did because we ended up eating with one hand and shooing away the buzzing nuisances with the other.
A taste of Italy
Amici is the hotel's Italian restaurant, complete with an antipasti buffet, wood-fired pizzas and fresh seasonal salads and pastas. Located in the main building of the hotel, with seating for up to 56 people and an open kitchen on display, the restaurant has a casual ambience, with optional seating on the terrace under the LED lights of the hotel's exterior. The restaurant also has a summer promotion called the Tutti a Tavola until September, including appetisers, main courses, desserts and unlimited house beverages for Dh250 per person and Dh190 per person for the unlimited soft-drink selection.
A taste of the ocean
Nautilus is a high-class dinning venue, overlooking the F1 racetrack, the yacht club — not open — and the marina, with outdoor views of the glittering night sky. Ideal for a romantic dinner, the service is impeccable and the wide selection of seafood on the menu is mouth-watering. The seafood is prepared to taste — grilled, steamed, poached or stir-fried. However, the scallops to start followed by the mixed seafood dish, complete with Omani lobster, comes highly recommended as it truly is delicious.
Sunset views
Skylite is probably the ideal place for an early-evening or late-night beverage at the hotel. As the name suggests, it is on the roof of the hotel, offering refreshing views of a beautiful sunset or night sky.
Chilled out in ambience, with a cabana feel, it comes complete with lounge chairs. Serving house beverages and light snacks, Skylite is open every evening from 6pm.
The gym
Besides sampling the food, I did manage to get a 30-minute workout with a personal trainer. The Yas Hotel's fitness club is fully equipped by Technogym, offering a true world-class workout experience. I am a member of a gym in Dubai but the equipment at the Yas's fitness club tops any I have ever handled.
Our focus was toning, so the trainer put me on to a piece of equipment everyone should have but probably cannot afford.
Technogym's Kinesis wall-mounted pulley system allowed me to do a simple full-body toning workout. Although most of us do these with machines designed for specific exercises, the Kinesis machine provided a great experience because my workouts have not been the same since.
The pools
The hotel's main rooftop pool for guests is located in the Marina wing but is non-operational now. However, the fitness club does have a covered rooftop pool.
Yet, with a husband on crutches and what looked like a wall of skewed steps for him to handle, my vision of a weekend by the pool, topping up my tan, crumbled before my eyes.
The spa
The luxury spa, set to open towards the end of the year, will be home to ten treatment rooms and sauna and steam rooms on two floors. It also has a traditional Arabian hammam in the rotunda room with a glass ceiling. The spa also offers two-day packages for guests who want a weekend of pampering.
Snooze
Our deluxe standard room overlooked the blue-bend part of the Formula 1 racetrack, which almost made it feel like a sea-view room in daylight.
Separated into two parts, the bedroom and the lounge area, the room — like the hotel — is nothing short of chic-meets-futuristic.
So much so, we could not work out how to turn the bathroom lights off on the first night, which was not an entire disaster as the comfort of the bed made up for our interrupted sleep.
There are two sliding-door entrances to the box-shaped bathroom — with a separate lockable toilet area.
However, those who like to shower in private may find it difficult if sharing the room with another, as the transparent shower and central bathtub leave you feeling a little overexposed.
In true ecofriendly style, the room-service menu and excursion information (which, in the old days, would be leaflets spread out at reception) are all stored in the TV, easily accessible at the touch of a button on the remote, which we later discovered also controls the room lighting, giving you a choice of different moods.
Ordering in a DVD and PlayStation 3 with games was our main source of entertainment, as most facilities had not opened but the entire facility does offer free WiFi connections for all guests.
Summer offers
The Yas Hotel is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's City Centre; a ten-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's International Airport and a 50-minute drive from the Dubai Marina area.
The Dine and Stay Package, starting from Dh779, includes:
* One night's accommodation for two people * Three-course set menu in a choice of one of four of the hotel's restaurants * A beverage for two people
The Exclusive Golfing Packages for the Yas Links Golf Course, starting from Dh730, includes:
* Accommodation for two guests * A round of golf for one person at the Yas Links Golf Club or the Abu Dhabi Golf Club * Transport to and from the hotel * Room-service breakfast for two or in Origins, the hotel's all-day dining venue
Mr & Mrs Summer Getaway, starting from Dh1,750 includes:
* One-night stay for two people * An option of room-service breakfast for two or in Origins * One round of golf — 18 holes — at the Yas Links Golf Club * A 90-minute in-room massage for one * A romantic dinner for two in one of the hotel's restaurants
Organiser says new world championship will be a rebirth of the sport
Team Sumo Power GT from UK in Nissan GT-R during their practice session yesterday for the GT1 World Championship at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Fifty Emirati students from the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi got to meet the female driving duo Natacha Gachang and Cyndie Allemann at Yas Marina Circuit yesterday. Read in full:Gulf News
the public park, "gate of Yas" i think it was called, about 80% completed
notice the special walking lane, and a jogging/bicycle lane with rubber flooring, the island is really walking/outdoor activities friendly as promised
I discovered a bridge that i didnt know about! its was build sometime ago, and connects Yas to where Al-Raha Ladies Beach used to be. spectacular view from there.
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