Vertical Velocity is an inverted steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois.Manufactured by Intamin under the trade name Twisted Impulse Coaster, this launched shuttle-style coaster, located in the Yankee Harbor section of the park, has been operating since May 18, 2001.The coaster's single seven-car train runs along a 200 m U-shaped track, incorporating two 185ft vertical spikes. The forward spike incorporates a twisted spiral, and the rearward spike provides a straight freefall. The 20 m train, propelled by linear induction motors, is accelerated in less than four seconds to 70mph toward the forward tower before dropping back down through the station house and up the rearward tower. A holding brake is incorporated on the rear straight tower and is able to suspend the train momentarily before dropping it back down to the station house. However, the holding brake has not been used since September 2008 due to maintenance issues. The train passes, at speed, through the station four times per 2700ft ride and is smoothly braked by eddy-current braking before being brought into final position at the station by the LIMs. Vertical Velocity is similar to Steel Venom at Valleyfair, and also similar to Possessed at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.
"The simple things in life are often the most satisfying. At first glance, you’ll think you have the minimalist masterpiece THE FLASH™: Vertical Velocity all figured out; a clean, strong, U-shaped steel track spikes up in two impossibly high directions, one in an ultra-twisted inline curve, and the other straight up. Sounds pretty simple right? Well strap into this suspended spiraling impulse coaster with your feet hanging in the air, and see what surprises this brute has in store.Do you like your excitement served fast? You will bolt out of the station and get to 70 miles per hour in less than four seconds. Quick, count to four, and that’s how fast you’ll accelerate to top speed."
