The Ride
 This design originally dubbed Thrust Air 2000 is a creation of the Utah based S&S Power. Hypersonic XLC is Kings Dominion's fourth launched coaster since the openning of their now defunct King Cobra, the world's first LIM launched coaster. Hypersonic XLC joins the ranks of Volcano: The Blast Coaster and Flight of Fear, but puts them to shame. This is the first coaster to use compressed air to launch it, and I do mean launch it. Riders are propelled to 80 mph in just a little under 2 seconds.
The Experience
Riders board specially built trains and sit 2 abreast. They pull down a T-shaped lapbar that locks around their ankles. The train rolls slowly out of the station and stops when it's in launch position. Suddenly, the train is catapulted from it's stand still postion and up a vertical tower almost as tall as the Paramount Eiffel Tower, towards the sky. Then the train crests and falls down a 90 degree drop towards the ground. Riders hit a 125 degree turn and climb another forty feet. The train roll down a quick dip and into the brake run.
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