Copperhead Strike

{{Short description|Launched roller coaster at Carowinds}} {{Infobox roller coaster | name = Copperhead Strike | logo = Copperhead Strike Logo.png | logodimensions =  | image = Copperhead Strike 1.jpg | imagedimensions = | caption = | previousnames = | location = Carowinds | locationarticle =  | section = Blue Ridge Junction | subsection =  | coordinates = {{Coords|35.1011|-80.9426|display=title,inline}} | status = Operating | opened = March 23, 2019 | soft_opened = March 21, 2019 | year = | cost = $26,000,000 | previousattraction = Whitewater Falls<br>Sand Dune Lagoon | type = Steel | type2 = Launched | manufacturer = Mack Rides | designer = | model = Launch Coaster | track = | lift = LSM launch | height_ft = 82 | drop_ft = | length_ft = 3,255 | speed_mph = 50 | inversions = 5 | duration = 2:24 | angle = | capacity = 1,200 | restriction_in = 52 | acceleration = | acceleration_from = 0 | acceleration_mph = 42 | acceleration_in = 2.5 | trains = 3 | carspertrain = 4 | rowspercar = 2 | ridersperrow = 2 | virtual_queue_name = [[Fast Lane (Cedar Fair)|Fast Lane]] | virtual_queue_image = Cedar Fair Fast Lane availability icon.svg | virtual_queue_status = available | single_rider = | accessible =  | transfer_accessible =  | theme = | website = | rcdb_number = 16349 }}

'''Copperhead Strike''' is a double [[launched roller coaster]] at [[Carowinds]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. Manufactured by [[Mack Rides]], the ride debuted to the public on March 23, 2019.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Copperhead Strike - Carowinds (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA) |url=https://rcdb.com/16349.htm |access-date=October 23, 2018 |publisher=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]] |language=en}}</ref> It opened as the headlining attraction of a new themed area, Blue Ridge Junction, which is located on the [[South Carolina]] side of the park. The ride is the first multi-launched roller coaster to open at the park, and the second launched coaster after White Lightnin' (now Golden Loop at [[Gold Reef City]]).<ref name="MainPR" /> Carowinds held a private event for media and special guests on March 21, 2019.<ref name="WCNC 2019">{{cite web | title=Enter for a chance to ride Copperhead Strike at Carowinds | website=WCNC | date=2019-02-19 | url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/community/enter-for-a-chance-to-ride-copperhead-strike-at-carowinds/275-52572323-8baa-44c8-b439-0935c5f44420 | access-date=2019-03-17}}</ref>

== History == Whitewater Falls, a [[Hopkins Rides]] [[Shoot the Chute|shoot-the-chutes]] water attraction opened in 1988, closed at the end of the 2016 season.<ref name="MainPR">{{cite news|url=https://www.carowinds.com/play/rides/copperhead-strike|title=Copperhead Strike, The Carolina's First Double Launch Coaster|date=August 30, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2018|publisher=[[Carowinds]]}}</ref> No official reasoning was given by the park for the closure of the ride, and the ride remained standing but not operating throughout the 2017 season until it was removed. In 2018, [[Carowinds]] began teasing a new attraction for the area formerly home to Whitewater Falls.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.coaster101.com/2018/06/30/carowinds-2019-teasers-what-do-they-all-mean/|title=Carowinds' 2019 Teasers: What Do They All Mean?|last=Andrew|date=June 30, 2018|work=Coaster101|access-date=October 23, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wral.com/carowinds-teases-biggest-announcement-in-park-s-history-on-social-media-/17762773/|title=Carowinds teases 'biggest announcement' in park's history on social media|last=Bowen|first=Janine|date=August 11, 2018|work=[[WRAL-TV|WRAL]]|access-date=October 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref> On August 30, 2018, Carowinds officially announced Copperhead Strike, along with its accompanying area, becoming one of the largest investments in the park's history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article217511580.html|title=Carowinds is adding another roller coaster. It will be fast.|last1=Marks|first1=John|date=August 30, 2018|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|accessdate=August 30, 2018|publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/08/30/carowinds-touts-bright-future-but-details-of-next.html|title=Carowinds touts bright future — but details of next expansion will have to wait|last=Elkins|first=Ken|date=August 30, 2018|website=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|access-date=October 23, 2018}}</ref> On October 17, 2018, construction of the ride's [[vertical loop]] and queue area were taking shape.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article220164965.html|title=Construction underway on new rides at Carowinds, including Copperhead Strike|last=Harris|first=Amanda|date=October 17, 2018|work=[[The Herald (Rock Hill)|The Herald]]|access-date=October 23, 2018|publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.coaster101.com/2018/10/17/copperhead-strike-taking-shape-at-carowinds-and-the-gliders-return/|title=Copperhead Strike Taking Shape at Carowinds (and the Gliders' Return!)|last=Andrew|date=October 17, 2018|work=Coaster101|access-date=October 23, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The roller coaster opened to the public on March 23, 2019.<ref name=":0"/>

== Ride experience == The ride starts with a slow [[Heartline roll|heartline]] roll out of the station (an element sometimes referred to as a jojo roll<ref>{{Cite web |last=Report |first=Morning Call {{!}} Staff |date=2004-09-15 |title=Wild roller coaster will be Dorney’s newest ride ** While not the park’s fastest or steepest, Hydra will have many twists and turns. |url=https://www.mcall.com/2004/09/15/wild-roller-coaster-will-be-dorneys-newest-ride-while-not-the-parks-fastest-or-steepest-hydra-will-have-many-twists-and-turns/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=The Morning Call |language=en-US}}</ref>) before a right hand turn into Granny Byrd's shed. After a show scene in the building, riders are launched from 0 to {{cvt|42|mph}} out of the shed into the first of two vertical loops. They then careen into an airtime hill and a fast-paced [[Corkscrew roller coaster|corkscrew]], before hitting a turnaround and jumping into the next launch, which is situated over an airtime hill. The launch boosts the speed from {{cvt|35|to|50|mph}},<ref name="MainPR" /> and sends riders into an elevated [[Cutback (roller coaster)|cutback]]. The ride then travels through the second vertical loop and navigates several low-to-the-ground turns. The train ascends one last airtime hill before hitting the final brake run and returning to the station.

== Characteristics ==

=== Trains === Copperhead Strike features three trains, each possessing 4 cars that seat 4 riders in 2 rows, allowing 16 riders per train.<ref name=":0" /> Each seat uses an individual lap bar that is pulled down from above the riders' heads as well as a seat belt that rests between their legs and buckles to the restraint.<ref name="MainPR" />

The front of each train is designed to look like a car, and bears striking resemblance to the 1939 Ford DeLuxe Convertible Coupe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1939 Ford DeLuxe Convertible Coupe - The Henry Ford |url=https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/94608 |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.thehenryford.org |language=en}}</ref> This design features silver text on the front car that reads "Copperhead Strike", and similar text on the trunk-like design of the rear car that reads "Carowinds". [[File:A view of Copperhead Strike from Carolina Skytower.jpg|thumb|250x250px|A View of Copperhead Strike from Carolina Skytower]]

=== Theme === Incorporated into the new area known as Blue Ridge Junction,<ref>{{cite news |date=August 30, 2018 |title=Carowinds announces biggest park investment ever with 'Copperhead Strike' |url=https://wcyb.com/news/local/carowinds-announces-biggest-park-investment-ever-with-copperhead-strike |accessdate=August 30, 2018 |work=[[WCYB-TV|WCYB]]}}</ref> the ride places guests in the shoes of visitors to old Granny Byrd's farmhouse on the edge of town. Granny has been making her prize-winning jam for over 40 years, but the farm is filled with signs warning trespassers to leave the property and look out for snakes.

The queue has guests walk through pathways surrounded by antique cars and shipping crates that feature "Byrd's Farm" branding. As the ride begins, riders happen upon a secret moonshine still in Granny's shed and must flee when she threatens to come after them.<ref name="MainPR" />

== Incidents == {{see also|Incidents at Six Flags parks}} On August 18, 2019, a guest was taken to the hospital after receiving a hand injury while riding. The ride was temporarily shut down following an investigation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Copperhead Strike ride currently closed at Carowinds after injury |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/copperhead-strike-ride-currently-closed-at-carowinds-after-injury/275-d80d0d30-6b05-464b-9d03-5bc2bd050f3a |website=WCNC |accessdate=2019-08-19 |date=2019-08-19}}</ref>

== Reception == Copperhead Strike was ranked in the ''[[Amusement Today]]'''s [[Golden Ticket Awards]] for [[Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster|best new roller coaster]] of 2019 in third place.<ref name="2k19"/> {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="text-align:center; background:white;" colspan="500"|[[Golden Ticket Awards]]: [[Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster|Best New Roller Coaster]] for 2019 |- style="background:#white;" ! style="text-align:center;"|Ranking |{{center|3<ref name="2k19">{{cite journal|title=Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2019|journal=Amusement Today|date=September 2019|volume=23|issue=6.2|pages=12|url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/issues/2019/gta-2019/|accessdate=July 29, 2020|format=PDF}}</ref>}} |- |}

== References == {{reflist}}

[[Category:Roller coasters manufactured by Mack Rides]] [[Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags]] [[Category:Carowinds]]