Johnnyupsidedown.com SheiKra

Track and supports for the new roller coaster had begun to arrive at BGT as construction enters into October. An incredible amount of work has been done to the job site in preparation for vertical construction of SheiKra. The tunnel has been dug and track has been installed in the tunnel which would be where vertical construction
starts from. The fan turn begins major vertical construction with supports and track continuing
up from the tunnel area.

Below is the story about the time line of construction and assembly of
SheiKra
at
Busch Gardens Tampa, Florida

Back in April of 2004 people began to hear rumors of a new roller coaster to be built at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida (BGT). What will it be and who will be designing and building the new ride. In late April the rumors were put to rest as construction permits were found in the City of Tampa's public records outlining the additions of several buildings and the new roller coaster.

Soon after the construction permits were located construction work began at BGT in the part of the park known as Stanleyville. That area of the park was long over due for any type of ride addition and will make a perfect home for the new roller coaster, restaurant and shops which are all part of this extremely large expansion project at BGT.

Everybody sure was in for a big surprise when the official announcement was made in late October of 2004 when SheiKra was finally announced.

Manufacture: Bolliger and Mabillard
Lift height 200 feet.
Main drop 200 feet.
Drop angle 90 degrees.
Immelmann, carousel turn.
Second drop 138 feet.
Drop angle 81 degrees.
Tunnel, Fan turn, Water splash finally into a final turn.
Track length 3188 feet.
Lift hill angle 45 degrees.
Ride time 3:05 seconds.
5 Trains with 3 rows of 8 seats.

Getting into December and January we begin the race to the top of the lift hill at a height of 200 feet. Several large support columns have been installed as the track begins to reach skyward. Several weeks pass as more sections or lift hill track and supports are assembled and erected as SheiKra grows ever taller.

The lift hill also features a large set of stairs and in case of breakdowns SheiKra also has an emergency trolly. Finally in late January Sheikras lift hill has been topped off with the last section of lift hill track being installed.

With the fan turn completed and track installed across the top of the tunnel and splash area construction work has moved over to the area of the immelmann. Track will now be installed from the bottom of the first drop up through the immelmann and back down to the carousel turn. Lots of footers have been poured and track and support pieces ready for assembly as only a few days of work are needed to install the immelmann supports and track.

As construction work moves into February a large section of track has been assembled and is ready for installation. Several days of work later the new segments of track have been installed from the end of the fan turn, across the top of the tunnel and splash area and up and over the final brake run.

Several more days have passed as work continues in February with the carousel turn being installed next. The turn will be from the bottom of the immelmann around the station and maintenance buildings and swoop back up into the mid course brake run before the second main drop on SheiKra.

With track assembly more than halfway completed they will finish the track work from the tunnel up the second drop to the mid course brake next. The second extreme drop on SheiKra will be taken as 81 degrees and will drop 138 feet into a tunnel and up into the fan turn. Finally towards the end of February SheiKra begins to take shape as they complete the majority of track and support column installations.

Construction of the big drop is next and it is the one we have all waited to see as it seems they have built this section next to last. So into March construction we go as the main 200 foot drop of SheiKra finally gets assembled. Each day brings more track closer to closing the gap between the turn on the lift hill and the main drop section. March brings completion of the main drop and now to complete the track work from the final turn to brake run.

The final turn was completed March 14th with the placement of the last section of track and SheiKra's main track work is completed.

With all systems completed and theming being added SheiKra is ready to open to the public May 21st, 2005. Go catch a ride or a splash on SheiKra.

April also brings the first signs of testing the trains on the track. As the first test runs are made you can tell SheiKra is going to be a great coaster. It is amazing to see the coaster in action after all the months of construction. April and May also bring alot of theming to the rides main attraction other than the drops is the water splash area. Passer bys and on lookers will get a taste of Sheikra as it passes in the splash.

With main track work completed construction work moves into April as main electrical systems get installed along with mechanical devices. Structural work on the station house is also moving along.