Welcome back to another addition of A-Z Coaster of the week, where we examine a coaster corresponding with each letter of the alphabet. This week, we’re headed to where the Carolinas come together, Carowinds, and taking a look at the tallest and fastest giga-coaster in the world, Fury 325.
Fury holds special meaning to me because it was the first coaster I got to cover in all stages. From the announcement of the ride on August 21, 2014, to the topping off of the first drop on December 4, 2014, to the track completion on January 30, 2015, to Media Day (and the ride that almost wasn’t) on March 25, 2015, Coaster101 has been there for all of it.
Topping Fury 325’s First Hill – 12/4/14
Bringing the final track piece into place – 1/30/15
Fury 325 simulates the wild, daring and spontaneous flight of the hornet. Riders board one of the three 32-passenger open air trains and begin their ascent to the top of a 325-foot tall hill followed by an initial 81-degree first drop. The train then races through a series of hills, curves and quick transitions while reaching speeds of up to 95 miles per hour. It features teal track, a lime green spine, and white supports, and is one of a few coasters at Carowinds to be located both in North and South Carolina.
The hornet symbolism has deep roots in the area. The Carolinas have always radiated an undeniable, raw energy. It’s a pulsing, seething strength that forced the British army to retreat from battle here hundreds of years ago, calling the region a “hornet’s nest of rebellion.” This region proudly claims the “Hornet’s Nest” label and has since used the hornet’s zealous, courageous and somewhat rebellious spirit as fuel to build one of the nation’s premier cities in Charlotte.
The coaster was a $30 Million portion of a multi-year expansion at Carowinds, an expansion that has helped transform Carowinds from a “regional” park to a “destination” park.
“We are making history here at Carowinds, and creating another reason people can be proud to live in the Carolinas. The opening of Fury 325 gives Carowinds two of the top 10 tallest roller coasters in North America,” Mike Fehnel, former Carowinds vice president and general manager said when Fury 325 opened to the public. “We want to be the destination for families near and far, and the debut of Fury 325 coupled with the other exciting experiences for the 2015 season puts us in the driver’s seat.”
Manufactured by Swiss ride manufacturers Bolliger and Mabillard, Fury 325 opened to the media on March 25, 2015, and to the public on March 28, 2015. It has quickly become a favorite of coaster enthusiasts, winning the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride of 2015, as well as the Best Steel Roller Coaster in 2016 (Fury 325 debuted at #4 on the best Steel Coaster list in 2015, which is one of the highest debuts for a new coaster, ever.)
Fury 325 Layout
Fury 325 Stats:
- Park: Carowinds, Charlotte, NC
- Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard
- Model: Giga Coaster
- Length: 6602′ (Rank: 5th World, 2nd US)
- Height: 325′ (Rank: 5th World/4th US/1st US Traditional Roller Coaster)
- First Drop: 320′
- Max Speed: 95mph (Rank: T-6 World/4th US/1st US Traditional Roller Coaster)
- Max Vertical Angle: 81 Degrees
- Ride Duration: 3:25
Ride Experience:
Based on experience, Fury 325 provides completely different experiences in the front of the train compared to the back of the train. Though the coaster does not offer preferential seating, try to sit in the first row if you want the feeling of non-stop, out of control speed. If air-time is your thing, try to sit in the back row, where you’ll feel like you’re flying for the entire duration of the ride. My favorite seat is the seat furthest from the station in the back row. Out of control air time.
Check out the official POV Video From Carowinds below:
Have you had the opportunity to ride Fury 325 yet? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned next week as we highlight the letter G!
this looks awesome