Suspended Looping Coaster
| Name | Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) |
| Image |  |
| Caption | Blue Tornado in Gardaland, Italy, a 765m extended SLC with a helix |
| Status | Discontinued |
| First Produced | 1994 |
| No. Of Installations | 42 |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Vehicle Type | Roller coaster train |
| Custom Label 1 | Height restriction |
| Custom Value 1 | 130cm |
| Custom Label 2 | Type |
| Custom Value 2 | Steel - Inverted |
| Custom Label 3 | Lift system |
| Custom Value 3 | Single chain lift hill |
| Custom Label 4 | Succeeded by |
| Custom Value 4 | Suspended Thrill Coaster |
| Rcdb Number | 8106 |
The Suspended Looping Coaster (often shortened to SLC) is a model of inverted roller coaster built by Dutch manufacturer Vekoma. There are 42 different installations of this ride type across the world. The minimum rider height requirement is 130cm. Currently, Vekoma is marketing the Suspended Thrill Coaster model as a successor to the Suspended Looping Coaster. The Odyssey at Fantasy Island is the tallest and fastest SLC in existence.
History
The first SLC installation was El Condor, opening in 1994 at Walibi Holland (then known as Walibi Flevo) in the Netherlands. It was initially designed to run with ten cars in each train. Trouble with this configuration led to the trains being shortened to eight cars per train. T2 at Kentucky Kingdom was the second SLC, and the first built in the United States. Like El Condor, it was designed to run with ten cars per train, though its trains were eventually shortened to seven cars for similar reasons.
The roller coaster model was discontinued in 2017. The last new installation (not including relocations of older SLCs) was Queen Cobra, which opened in 2017 at Sun World Danang Wonders in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam.
Ride
Layouts
There are several different layouts of Suspended Looping Coasters, although most feature a similar pattern. The ride begins by taking passengers up a 33.3m chain lift hill. Once at the top, the train drops down a steep, banked right turn where it enters the first inversion element, a right rollover. A rollover is an Immelmann loop followed by a Dive loop After exiting this element, the train traverses a banked left turn and approaches the ride's next inversion, a left sidewinder. After exiting the sidewinder, the train navigates a 270° right helix upwards before entering the ride's final two inversions, a double inline twist. The train then traverses a 90° banked turn to the right. At this point, some models feature an additional helix to the left, while others simply continue straight into the brake run. The standard model also has a relatively compact layout, providing numerous "footchoppers".
Vekoma have also manufactured three custom SLCs: The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers (which is nearly identical to a 689m Standard SLC, but features a custom station and supports), Kumali at Flamingo Land, and The Odyssey at Fantasy Island.
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| Model name | Number of installations | First installation | Last installation | 42 | 1994 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 662m Prototype | 2 | 1994 | 1995 |
| 689m Standard | 27 | 1995 | 2017 |
| 765m Extended w/Helix | 5 | 1995 | 1999 |
| 787m Extended | 2 | 1997 | 2007 |
| 671m Shenlin | 2 | 2002 | 2006 |
| 748m Shenlin w/Helix | 2 | 2006 | 2009 |
| Custom | 2 | 1995 | 2002 |
Trains
Many SLCs operate with two trains consisting of ten cars, though some operate with as few as seven cars. Poor maintenance and non-exact track manufacturing have led many SLCs to inflict notoriously painful "head banging" upon their riders, wherein a rider's head constantly slams against the over-the-shoulder restraints.
To help solve this issue, Vekoma is currently offering new trains with convenient hip harnesses and vest-like restraints that allow the rider to avoid slamming their head against bulky restraints while riding. The only known SLCs to have these trains are The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers, Jaguar at Isla Mágica, Riddler Revenge at Six Flags New England, Firewhip at Beto Carrero World, Nopuko Air Coaster at Lost Island Theme Park, The Mind Eraser at Six Flags Darien Lake, and Professor Screamore's SkyWinder at Six Flags America. Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy at Warner Bros. Movie World used similar trains manufactured by Kumbak later into its service life before its eventual closure in 2022.
The Suspended Looping Coaster is similar in design to other inverted roller coasters. However, unlike the four-across seating found on Bolliger & Mabillard's inverted roller coasters, Vekoma SLCs feature two-across seating.
Installations
As of April 2025, there are 42 different installations across the world, which have been located at 52 different amusement parks.
| Name | Park | Opened | Status | Model | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy Formerly Lethal Weapon - The Ride | Warner Bros. Movie World | 1995 | Removed | 765m Extended w/ Helix |  | |
| Batman - The Ride | Six Flags México | 2000 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Blue Tornado | Gardaland | 1998 | Operating | 765m Extended w/ Helix | | |
| Condor Formerly El Condor | Walibi Holland | 1994 | Operating | 662m Prototype |  | |
| Death Rail | Al Zawraa Land | 2015 | Operating | 689m Standard | ||
| Desafío | Parque de la Costa | 1999 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Dragon in Clouds | Happy Valley Chengdu | 2009 | Operating | Shenlin w/ Helix |  | |
| Ednör – L'Attaque In Storage Formerly Serial Thriller | La Ronde Six Flags Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor Six Flags AstroWorld | 2010 2005 1999 | Operating 2009 Closed 2005 | 689m Standard | .jpg) | |
| F2 Fright Flight | Nasu Highland Park | 1995 | Operating | 689m Standard | ||
| FireWhip Formerly Blackout | Beto Carrero World Suzuka Circuit | 2008 1995 | Operating | 689m Standard | .JPG) | |
| Flight Deck Formerly Top Gun | Canada's Wonderland | 1995 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| The Gauntlet | Magic Springs | 2004 | Operating | 689m Standard | .jpg) | |
| Golden Wings over the Snowfield Formerly Golden Wings in Snowfield | Happy Valley Beijing | 2006 | Operating | Shenlin w/ Helix | ||
| The Great Nor'Easter Formerly Fly the Great Nor'Easter | Morey's Piers | 1995 | Operating | Custom |  | |
| Hurricane | Rusutsu Resort | 1996 | Operating | 689m Standard | ||
| Infusion Formerly TraumaTizer | Pleasure Beach Resort Adventure Coast Southport | 2007 1999 | Operating Closed 2006 | 689m Standard |  | |
| Iron Claw Formerly MP-Xpress Formerly FX Formerly Eraser | Movie Park Germany | 2001 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Jaguar | Isla Mágica | 1997 | Operating | 765m Extended w/ Helix | ||
| Kong Formerly Hangman | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Opryland USA | 1998 1995 | Operating Closed 1997 | 689m Standard |  | |
| Kumali | Flamingo Land Resort | 2006 | Operating | Shenlin |  | |
| Kumba | Superland | 2001 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Maya Adventure Formerly Mayan Adventure | Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village | 1997 | Operating | 689m Standard | ||
| The Mind Eraser | Six Flags Darien Lake | 1997 | Operating | 689m Standard | | |
| Mind Eraser | Elitch Gardens Theme Park | 1997 | Operating | 689m Standard |  2.jpg) | |
| Professor Screamore's SkyWinder Formerly Mind Eraser | Six Flags America | 1995 | Closed | 689m Standard | | |
| Nio | Greenland | 1997 | Operating | 689m Standard | ||
| Nopuko Air Coaster Formerly Cobra Formerly Cape Cobras | Lost Island Theme Park Ratanga Junction | 2022 1998 | Operating | 765m Extended w/ Helix |  | |
| The Odyssey Formerly Jubilee Odyssey | Fantasy Island | 2002 | Operating | Custom |  | |
| Queen Cobra | Sun World Danang Downtown | 2017 | Operating | 689m Standard | ||
| Raptor Formerly Dream Thunder | Fantasilandia International Dream Exchange Fair | 2008 1997 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Roller Coaster | Dream Park | 1999 | Operating | 765m Extended w/ Helix | ||
| Roller Coaster Mayan | Energylandia | 2015 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Snow Mountain Flying Dragon | Happy Valley Shenzhen | 2002 | Closed | Shenlin | ||
| Suspended Looping Coaster | Suzhou Amusement Land | 2003 | Removed | 787m Extended | ||
| T3 Formerly T2 | Kentucky Kingdom | 1995 | Removed Closed 2022 | 662m Prototype |  | |
| The Riddler Revenge Formerly Mind Eraser | Six Flags New England | 1997 | Operating Renamed 2018 | 689m Standard |  1.jpg) | |
| Thunderhawk Formerly Serial Thriller | Michigan's Adventure Geauga Lake | 2008 1998 | Operating Closed 2007 | 689m Standard |  | |
| Titánide Formerly Tizona | Terra Mítica | 2003 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Toxic Garden Formerly Limit | Heide Park | 1999 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Twisted Typhoon Formerly Hangman | Wild Adventures | 1999 | Operating | 689m Standard |  | |
| Vampire | Walibi Belgium | 1999 | Operating | 689m Standard | .JPG) | |
| Vortex Formerly Pusing Lagi | Siam Amazing Park Jerudong Park Playground | 2007 1997 | Operating Closed 2006 | 787m Extended |  |
References
- SLC, 662m Prototype, 8409, 14 December 2010
- T3, Kentucky Kingdom, 175, 14 December 2010
- SLC - Vekoma (Vlodrop, Limburg, Netherlands), August 21, 2025, Roller Coaster DataBase
- Roller Coaster Search Results, rcdb.com, 2019-09-25
- Roll Over, 8889, 14 December 2010
- Sidewinder, 8890, 14 December 2010
- Marden, Duane, Roller Coaster Search Results - Model = SLC (Custom), Roller Coaster Database, Database Entry, 14 December 2010
- Parkworld_Magazine_July08, viewer.zmags.co.uk, dead, 2008-07-18
- Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy - Warner Bros. Movie World (Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia)
- SLC, 8106, 19 April 2025
- Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy, Warner Bros. Movie World, 1122, 14 December 2010
- Batman: The Ride, Six Flags Mexico, 639, 13 December 2010
- Blue Tornado, Gardaland, 961, 13 December 2010
- Condor, Walibi Holland, 770, 31 January 2015
- Death Rail, Al Zawraa Land, 11384, 18 December 2023
- Desafío, Parque de la Costa, 1322, 31 January 2015
- Dragon in Clouds, Happy Valley, 4126, 31 January 2015
- Ednör - L'Attaque, La Ronde, 8662, 14 December 2010
- unknown, Great Escape, 3425, 31 January 2015
- Serial Thriller, Six Flags Astroworld, 551, 19 February 2012
- F2 Fright Flight, Nasu Highland Park, 1267, 31 January 2015
- FireWhip, Beto Carrero World, 4149, 16 February 2012
- Blackout, Suzuka Circuit, 1224, 31 January 2015
- Flight Deck, Canada's Wonderland, 57, 14 December 2010
- Gauntlet, Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, 2421, 31 January 2015
- Golden Wings over the Snowfield, Happy Valley, 2978, 31 January 2015
- The Great Nor'Easter, Morey's Piers, 158, 14 December 2010
- Hurricane, Rusutsu Resort, 1260, 31 January 2015
- Infusion, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 3672, 14 December 2010
- Traumatizer, Southport Pleasureland, 805, 31 January 2015
- Iron Claw, Movie Park Germany, 969, 14 December 2010
- Jaguar, Isla Magica, 964, 6 October 2013
- Kong, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 163, 14 December 2010
- Hangman, Opryland USA, 162, 14 December 2010
- Kumali, Flamingo Land, 2985, 18 December 2023
- Kumba, Superland, 1559, 11 August 2011
- Maya Adventure, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, 1231, 31 January 2015
- Mind Eraser, Darien Lake, 430, 14 December 2010
- Mind Eraser, Elitch Gardens, 422, 14 December 2010
- Mind Eraser, Six Flags America, 149, 14 December 2010
- Nio, Greenland, 1211, 31 January 2015
- Nopuko Air Coaster, Lost Island Theme Park, 18891, 24 June 2022
- Cobra, Ratanga Junction, 1165, 18 December 2023
- Odyssey, Fantasy Island, 1413, 14 December 2010
- Queen Cobra, Asia Park, 14194, 16 November 2019
- Raptor, Fantasilandia, 11384, 18 December 2023
- Dream Thunder, International Dream Exchange Fair, 4258, 18 December 2023
- Roller Coaster, Dream Park, 4154, 31 January 2015
- Roller Coaster Mayan, Energylandia, 12263, 18 December 2023
- Snow Mountain Flying Dragon, Happy Valley, 1681, 31 January 2015
- Suspended Looping Coaster, Suzhou Amusement Land, 1616, 31 January 2015
- The Riddler Revenge, Six Flags New England, 429, 14 December 2010
- Thunderhawk, Michigan's Adventure, 4053, 14 December 2010
- Thunderhawk, Geauga Lake, 489, 14 December 2010
- Titanide, Terra Mitica Spain, 922, 11 August 2011
- Toxic Garden, Heide Park, 987, 18 December 2023
- Twisted Typhoon, Wild Adventures, 561, 23 July 2012
- Vampire, Walibi Belgium, 922, 11 August 2011
- Vortex, Siam Amazing Park, 3715, 31 January 2015
- Pusing Lagi, Jerudong Park Playground, 1351, 31 January 2015
External links
Category:Steel roller coasters
Category:Mass-produced roller coasters
Category:Vekoma