Licence to thrill - SW7 will be one of the biggest theme park rides

 
Alton Towers
15 October 2012

It is codenamed SW7 but it has nothing to do with South Kensington... at least as far as anyone knows

For adrenaline junkies are in for a treat after one of the UK's most popular theme parks announced it is launching its biggest ever ride.

SW7 - wh9ich actually stands for Secret Weapon 7 - until its real name is unveiled, organisers at Alton Towers have promised the new rollercoaster will be the first of its kind in the world - but have kept exact details under wraps.

They have revealed that the £18 million ride is the Staffordshire resort's biggest ever investment.

It will feature a highest drop of 98ft (30m), has a maximum speed of about 52mph (85kmph) which is 6mph faster than Air, is three times longer than Oblivion, and lasts 165 seconds, which is three times the ride time of Rita.

Thrill-seekers can experience a taste of what is to come by braving The Sanctuary, a new attraction at the resort which has opened as part of this year's Scarefest and is a prequel to the new rollercoaster.

The scare maze invites brave souls into its realms where they are confronted by a plethora of sinister medical staff and residents.

Based around the concept of a medical facility which has recently reopened after being closed for nearly 50 years, a controlling force known as the Ministry of Joy launches a series of trials in which it recruits advocates for the new project.

Katherine Duckworth, head of consumer marketing at Alton Towers, said: "Details of the new ride coming to the theme park in 2013 are still a closely-guarded secret but we know that people are hugely excited about its arrival and want a hint of what is to come.

"The Sanctuary is set to make Scarefest more terrifying than ever, and give our guests the chance to experience a preview of our new ride before it opens to the public in March."

Scarefest 2012, which runs from October 19 to 31, will also see the return of Terror Of The Towers and travelling circus Carnival Of Screams.

The new rollercoaster will open on March 16 2013.

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