{{Short description|Amusement ride}} {{redirect|Super Loops|other uses|Superloop (disambiguation){{!}}Superloop|and|Fireball (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox attraction model | name = Fire Ball | image = Firestorm (Ring of Fire) - panoramio.jpg | imagedimensions = 250px | caption = A Ring of Fire ride at a fair in 2014 | status = <!-- The current status of the ride: in production, discontinued, or in development --> | first_produced = <!--Year first model of the ride was built.--> | installations = <!--The number of attractions of the model that have been installed including models that have been closed/demolished.--> | manufacturer = Larson International | height_ft = | height_in = | length_ft = | length_in = | custom_label_1 = | custom_value_1 = | custom_label_2 = Previous names | custom_value_2 = Super Loops {{small|(1970s)}}<br />Ring of Fire {{small|(1988)}} }}
The '''Fire Ball''' is a type of amusement ride manufactured by Larson International.<ref name="Fire Ball">{{cite web |url=http://larsonintl.com/the-fire-ball/ |title=The Fire Ball |publisher=Larson International |access-date=August 6, 2017}}</ref> It replaced a series of Larson rides manufactured prior to its unveiling, the first being the '''Super Loops''' and the second being the '''Ring of Fire'''. The ride features a roller coaster-type train which rolls along a ring-shaped track, turning riders upside down at the top of the loop. Older models of this ride type have trains with each half of the train facing opposite directions, with a protective metal cage and a rigid lap bar restraining the riders. In 1972 Larson unveiled their new Super Loop ride.<ref name="Super Loop">{{cite web |title=The Super Loop |url=https://larsonintl.com/about-us/ |access-date=October 29, 2025 |publisher=Larson International}}</ref> In 1998, Larson introduced a new roofless, open-air train with over-the-shoulder harnesses and seats that sit riders face-to-face with each other.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Loops – Amusement Ride Extravaganza |url=https://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/super-loops/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Some owners of the older Ring of Fire rides have had the caged train replaced with the new Fire Ball train.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
Though the ride share similarities with that of a roller coaster, notably having a train which rolls along a track, it is often not considered as such since the ride is powered by motorized drive tires, and not by gravity like a roller coaster.
[[File:El Diablo Roller Coaster.jpg|thumb|''El Diablo'' at Six Flags Great Adventure. This is Larson International's 22M Giant Loop,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gadv.com/park/entry/72-Name-Change-for-New-2015-Ride-El-Diablo/ |title=Name Change for New 2015 Ride: El Diablo |publisher=Great Adventure Online |date=August 6, 2017}}</ref> a larger version of the Fire Ball.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://larsonintl.com/the-22m-giant-loop/ |title=The 22M Giant Loop |publisher=Larson International |date=August 6, 2017}}</ref> This installation is now located at La Ronde as ''Chaos.'']]
==Design== Larson makes three different versions of the ride: The Fire Ball, the 22M Giant Loop, and the Giga Loop 100ft. Each ride provides a similar ride experience, but are larger than each other in terms of both size and capacity. {| class="wikitable sortable" !Model name !Height/Length !Rider capacity !Transportable !Notes |- |Fire Ball |{{Convert|58|ft|m}} |20 passengers |{{yes|Yes}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE FIRE BALL – Larson International |url=https://larsonintl.com/the-fire-ball/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |22M Giant Loop |{{Convert|73|ft|m}} |24 passengers |{{no|No}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE 22M GIANT LOOP – Larson International |url=https://larsonintl.com/the-22m-giant-loop/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Giga Loop 100 Ft |{{Convert|101|ft|m}} |32 passengers |{{no|No}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE GIGA LOOP 100 FT – Larson International |url=https://larsonintl.com/the-giga-loop-100-ft/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> |} The ride structure is a large steel boxed-track loop attached to a concrete base or portable trailer with supporting outriggers and steel cables. In this boxed track is a multiple-piece pivoted end-rim (inertia ring) with wheel dogs attached settled within this boxed track. On one section of the rim the train is snugly placed. The rim is run through a shock-absorbent tire drive, which drives the train around the loop.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Loops – Amusement Ride Extravaganza |url=https://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/super-loops/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The ride's train is rocked back and forth at a generous rate, as not to put too much stress on the tire drive. It elevates on every pass through the station until it has gained enough momentum to make it completely around the loop, thus riders experiencing hangtime (the feeling of themselves almost falling out of their seats). Once a number of consecutive loops are made, it can be shifted to go the other direction. It can also be stopped at the top.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Since the Super Loop-styled rides are tire-driven, even the slightest water build-up on the rim can cause the drive tires to hydroplane on the rim. This action keeps the ride from completing its loop and can sometimes make a loud squeal. Like many amusement rides, these rides should not be operated during inclement weather such as thunderstorms.<ref name="Fire Ball" />
== Operation == Most of the Super Loop-styled rides are manually operated with a toggle handle. Most of these rides have a dead man's operator chair that detects the absence of an operator. This prevents the ride from moving in case the handle is bumped without an operator being sat in the chair. Operators of these rides have to be knowledgeable of weight distribution and speed-to-distance ratio.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} The amount of power needed to operate this ride is 240 volts, 250 amps (60 kW).<ref name="Fire Ball" />
These rides have numerous safety features that include:
*Emergency power cut-off button.<ref name="Fire Ball" /> * Dead-man's operator chair that detects the absence of an operator.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fire Ball's Safety |url=http://amusementrides.org/need-know-fire-ball-amusement-park-ride/ |access-date=August 21, 2017 |publisher=amusementrides.org}}</ref> * Anti-air double-lock harnesses with secondary precaution belt that activates when air is released.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fireball Info |url=http://thedod3.com/whitetrashcarnierides/ring-of-fire/ |access-date=August 21, 2017 |publisher=thedod3.com}}</ref> * Pull-up-and-move operation toggle that will only move when tip of handle is compressed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Superloop Pull Up Bar |url=http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/super-loops/ |access-date=August 17, 2017 |publisher=ride-extravaganza.com}}</ref> * Height requirement of {{convert|48|in|m|2|abbr=off}}.<ref name="Fire Ball" />
==Park installations== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Park !Country !Model !Opened !Status !Notes |- |Bourbon Street Fireball |Six Flags America |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2014 |{{no|Removed}} |Removed in 2023. |- |Brain Drain |Elitch Gardens |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2014 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Brain Drain |Frontier City |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2015 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Chaos <small>Formerly ''El Diablo'' </small> |La Ronde<br><small>Six Flags Great Adventure</small> |{{Flag icon|Canada}}Canada |22M Giant Loop |2019<br><small>2015 - 2018</small> |{{yes|Operating}} |Originally announced as ''Looping Dragon'' at Six Flags Great Adventure but was renamed ''El Diablo'' before its opening. Closed in 2018 and relocated to La Ronde for the 2019 season. |- |Cyclone |Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |Fire Ball |2012 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Dare Devil Chaos Coaster |Six Flags Discovery Kingdom |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2015 |{{no|Removed}} |Removed in 2022. |- |Delirious |Valleyfair |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2018 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |El Diablo |Six Flags Over Texas |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |Giga Loop 100 Ft |2019 |{{no|In storage}} |Originally announced as ''Lone Star Revolution'' but was renamed ''El Diablo'' before its opening. Removed in 2024 and sold to IB Parks & Entertainment; in storage at Clementon Park. |- |Eye of the Storm |Kentucky Kingdom |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2017 |{{no|removed}} |Removed in 2024 |- |Fireball |Six Flags Fiesta Texas |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2016 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Fireball |Six Flags New England |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2016 |{{no|Removed}} |Damaged beyond repair during a storm in 2021. |- |Fireball |Six Flags St. Louis |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2016 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Fire Ball |Cliff's Amusement Park |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |Fire Ball |2013 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Fire Ball |Lake Winnepesaukah |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |Fire Ball |2012 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Flare |Kemah Boardwalk |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2014 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Giant Loop (环翼飞车) |Happy Valley Shenzhen |{{Flag icon|China}}China |22M Giant Loop |2019 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Greezed Lightnin' |Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2016 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Joker: Chaos Coaster |Six Flags Over Georgia |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2015 |{{no|Removed}} |Removed in 2022 after years of operational difficulties. Replaced by Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster in 2023. |- |Mardi Gras Hangover |Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World<br><small>Six Flags Great America</small> |{{Flag icon|United States}} United States |Giga Loop 100 Ft |TBD<br><small>2018 - 2023</small> |{{no|In storage}} |The first installation of the Giga Loop. |- |Ring of Fire |Clementon Park and Splash World |{{Flag icon|United States}} United States |Fire Ball |2010 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Rolling Thunder |Six Flags Darien Lake |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |22M Giant Loop |2015 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Wheel of Wind and Fire（風火輪） |Leofoo Village Theme Park |{{Flag icon|Taiwan}}Taiwan |22M Giant Loop |1999 |{{yes|Operating}} | |- |Zero G |Indiana Beach |{{Flag icon|United States}}United States |Fire Ball |2016 |{{no|Removed}} |Removed in 2020 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commonscat|Ring of Fire (ride)}} *{{Official website|http://larsonintl.com/the-fire-ball/|The Fire Ball profile}} at Larson International *[http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/super-loops/ ''Super Loops''] at Amusement Ride Extravaganza {{Amusement rides}} Category:Upside-down amusement rides