SheiKra (Tampa, Florida)

USA / Florida / University / Tampa, Florida
 roller coaster  Add category

SheiKra, built in 2005, is a dive coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). From May - June 2007, the ride was closed while the station was modified and the trains were replaced with floorless units. It reopened June 16th. SheiKra was the first B&M dive coaster to come to North America.

A few notes about seating position: 1) SheiKra gives a smooth and consistent ride no matter where you sit in the train. Ride dynamics are almost the same no matter where you sit in the train. 2) Signs in the station inform riders that the train is designed with staggered seating and that all riders get good visibility. This is true for most of the ride. However, you have to sit in the front row in order to get the best hang experience when the train holds at the top of the first drop. The hang experience is okay for the second row and poor for the last (third) row. The last row cannot see over the edge when the train holds.

The station is designed to load and unload two trains at once, and run several trains on the ride at the same time. This author has observed a train hold at the top of the first drop while his train progressed up the lift hill. There might be as many as five trains operating at once. Someone needs to research this and report back how many trains are actually running at once. If you're going to be at Busch Gardens Africa anytime soon, have a friend ride while you count the number of trains that come through the station before your friend gets back. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. :-D

RCDB Entry: www.rcdb.com/id2662.htm
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   28°2'11"N   82°25'29"W

Comments

  • omg this ride owns your lyf
  • This coaster is nuts. My heart literally stopped and then beat extra fast to catch up after the drop.
  • Best ride at the park! Hands down!
  • i hate this ride everyone acts like it is so great but i dont think so i think its jst the same as the other ones kumba is my favorite
This article was last modified 6 years ago