Riding the world’s fastest roller-coaster
I have a deathly fear of rollercoasters. Somehow, unlike all the other parental cautionary tales I chose to ignore, something about my mother’s “circus rides are death traps” warning struck pay dirt and, as a consequence of their overly fertile premonitions, I have never, ever been on an amusement-park ride. No rollercoasters. No ferris wheels. Not even one of those precious little spinning-teacup rides used to placate the under-sixes who fail to meet the “must be this tall to ride” requirement at the scary rides. Not once. Not ever.
This made my visit to Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World a tad problematic. Although its main marketing message is that it is the world’s biggest indoor theme park, the 86,000-square-metre facility in the middle of Yas Island — also home to the Yas Marina Formula One track — is most famous for boasting the fastest roller-coaster in the world.
They claim Formula Rossa has a top speed of 240 km/h. That would, in and of itself, be scary enough but it is made even worse by the fact it accelerates to 100 km/h in under two seconds. That’s 1.7 Gs, folks, identical to the acceleration that launches jets off aircraft carriers.
Normally, I’d just chicken out. But, convinced there’s a story in this, it’s now impossible to duck the featured ride, no matter how distinct the possibility of soiled trousers.
I should mention that my son, Matthew, is having a ball with this. Retribution, he says, for the decade or so he endured being labelled my “basement troll.”
I’d like to report that I somehow conjured up the courage to face my deepest fear with something approaching self-possession and equanimity. But the truth is, during the longest 45 seconds of my life, sounds came out of my mouth that would embarrass a fiveyear-old girl. Within 10 feet of being launched by the very same hydraulic mechanicals aircraft carriers use to propel jets, my eyes are firmly shut. And just in case my eyelids inadvertently opened from the incredible G forces, I covered my eyes with my hands.
Also blessed was Ferrari World’s Karting Academy, which let me recapture just a hint of my pride. In fact, the electrically driven karts faithfully mimicked Ferrari’s best models, albeit at a much reduced pace. Literally useless at low speeds because of understeer, the little karts — just like any full-sized Ferrari — suddenly turned into razorsharp racers as soon as you leaned hard on the gas.
Of course, not everything about Ferrari World is deathdefying speed. The motif being Italian and the brand Ferrari, there’s plenty of romance for those desiring a slower pace.
And for the kids, there are Junior GT and GP go-karts, their speed tailored for those barely out of diapers.