| PREMIER RIDES INKS DEAL TO REPRESENT FLY BY WIRE AND DEVELOP NEW SKYSURFER PRODUCT BALTIMORE – Premier Rides, Inc., a Millersville, Maryland company, has signed an agreement to represent Fly By Wire products in The United States and Europe . In addition to the representation agreement, Fly By Wire International has contracted with Premier Rides to bring its novel SkySurfer ride concept to life. Fly By Wire, the New Zealand based developer of patented ride attractions, created the world's first flight attraction offering full pilot control of a high-speed tethered plane. An overhead suspension point attaches the plane to a cable support network that spans the site of the Fly By Wire attraction. “It is exhilarating. Once in flight you are on your own, free to fly high and fast. The controls consist of steering, throttle, and a tow release. The instrument panel displays airspeed, engine gauges and flight time,” states Bob Cummins, CEO of Fly By Wire. Powered by an aircraft engine, the wingless plane resembles a rocket. The open ‘cockpit' design allows the rider to fully appreciate the 106 mph speed and 3g-to-weightlessness thrills presently delivered by the existing attractions. “At Premier Rides we have always prided ourselves on being extremely innovative. When I saw the creativity and technical knowledge of the Fly By Wire ride, I was very impressed. The experience is as close to flying as you can get,” states Jim Seay , a licensed pilot and president of Premier Rides. The SkySurfer is a solo roller coaster featuring a double capacity ride rail, and it is the newest brainstorm of Fly By Wire. Similar to its predecessor, the SkySurfer is experienced in a prone position, either riding on top of the rail or suspended below. The concept involves the riders “racing” each other along the track, sometimes above the track and sometimes below it. With an exciting array of twists, turns, barrel rolls and the like, the Sky Surfer will offer many novel features and a choice of configurations that will warrant serious consideration from operators of small parks and amusement facilities right through to large theme parks. “The SkySurfer has great potential and we needed a company with the technical edge to take it from concept to reality,” states Cummins. “We teamed with Premier Rides because we saw an innovative group with cutting edge technical experience. It is rare to find a highly qualified engineering company that has the marketing capabilities to fully carry out your plan. In Premier Rides we see that potential and feel they will represent us well.” Premier Rides plans on having the SkySurfer completely engineered and ready for sale by the 2005 season.
PREMIER RIDES UNWRAPS A PLAN TO DESIGN AND BUILD TWO “REVENGE OF THE MUMMY” RIDES FOR UNIVERSAL STUDIOSBALTIMORE – Premier Rides, the industry leader in the design and manufacture of innovative theme park rides and attractions, has announced that it is currently designing and building the ride equipment and technology for two high-tech, high-speed thrill attractions for Universal Parks and Resorts. Based on the popular “Mummy” films, the two rides, one each at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, are scheduled to open in the spring and summer of 2004, respectively. The design and construction marks unique collaboration between the film's director and producer, theme park designers and Premier Rides. “We are thrilled to be developing the ride equipment and technology for this incredibly advanced, next-generation scream-inducing attraction,” said Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides. “The ride employs nearly every concept, and includes never-before seen innovations and advancements we have developed in the last decade and presents them as a package. The rides will be the culmination of the hard work of an amazing team of people from Premier and Universal.” The indoor rides will utilize Premier's pioneering Linear Induction Motor (LIM) to provide high-speed launches. Also being employed is a new, modified version of the LIM called Variable Speed Linear Induction Motor (VSLIM) Slow Premier's VSLIM technology helped enable the Universal design team to create a unique “High Velocity Show Immersion System” that completely engulfs the riders' senses during the ride. In addition, the attractions move riders in all directions, including reverse, as the vehicle traverses its path. According to Scott Trowbridge, vice president of design and creative development for Universal Parks and Resorts, “This 'psychological thrill -ride' is the latest evolution in ride experiences for the entire industry. ‘Revenge of the Mummy' is the next threshold attraction – there is no other ride like it anywhere.”
About Premier Rides Established in 1994, Premier Rides has evolved into the theme park and attraction industry's leading design and manufacturing firm. Best known for its high-tech roller coasters, Premier is also a global supplier of family attractions, such as water rides, traditional (steel and wood) roller coasters, observation towers, Ferris wheels and custom designed attractions. The company is headquartered in Baltimore , Maryland and has additional U.S. , European and Asian offices.
Manhattan Express at NYNY Improves Ride, Goes High Tech BALTIMORE - Premier Rides, Inc. recently completed an innovative magnetic brake upgrade to New York , New York Hotel and Casino's Manhattan Express, a 206 ft. tall steel heartline coaster that has been thrilling riders and guests since its 1997 opening in Las Vegas , Nevada . Premier Rides Inc. was contracted to retrofit the entire ride with a high-tech, combination magnetic and mechanical braking system. Magnetic brakes use high strength, rare earth magnets which generate a very strong magnetic field. The field resists the motion of the coaster train without any physical contact. A single brake fin made from a proprietary material retrofitted to the vehicle makes it possible to use magnetic brakes on the running course in high velocity braking positions, while still utilizing mechanical brakes for actual stop positions and low velocity areas. “In the past we were limited by our brake fin material. Magnetic brakes fins have unique electrical requirements typically associated with very soft materials. Mechanical brakes work best with hardened steel. Thus two fins were required for a combined use of mechanical and magnetic brakes.” states Jim Seay , President of Premier Rides, Inc. “Our new material has the required electrical properties and is extremely durable. It will make such upgrades a cost effective alternative to the long-term maintenance and operational issues associated with standard mechanical brakes.” Magnetic brakes are practically maintenance-free. Since there are no moving parts they are not susceptible to wear and tear. ”Non-contact parts also reduce impact stresses on the coaches which improves the overall life of the vehicles. Silent braking is also a perfect solution to noise concerns. “states Cynthia Emerick, Manager of Support and Service for Premier Rides. “Although these were all important benefits to the customer, ultimately what the rider feels makes the biggest impact. On the Manhattan Express the braking g-force felt by guests was significantly reduced with the upgrade.” A typical magnetic brake retrofit is ten to fourteen weeks dependent on the size of the project and material availability. “Premier Rides completed the job well under the time allotted in the contract and performed the install in less than one week. This was important to our client since the Manhattan Express operates year round,” according to Emerick. The Premier Rides magnetic brake upgrade was created to retrofit almost any coaster, both steel and wood designs. Premier's single fin design has operated successfully for one year on Paramount 's Kings Island 's The Beast wooden coaster and is currently being installed on Hershey Park 's Arrow Mine Train Coaster. Premier Rides is best known for its high-tech linear induction motor (LIM) roller coasters. The company is also a global supplier of traditional roller coasters, round rides, towers, water rides and custom designed attractions. The company offers a comprehensive service division supplying engineering support, ride and train rehabilitations, and parts on a 24-hour emergency basis. The Manhattan Express was originally designed and built by TOGO International, Inc.
PREMIER RIDES: BRINGING THRILLS AND CHILLS TO COASTER ENTHUSIASTS WORLDWIDE SINCE 1994Premier Rides is the industry leader in the design and manufacture of innovative, high-tech roller coasters and attractions. Led by company president and theme park industry veteran Jim Seay, Premier has created and introduced award-winning technology, including the pioneering Linear Induction Motor (LIM) Launch Coaster found in such rides as “Speed – The Ride” and “Batman™ & Robin™ : The Chiller.” This year the company again extends its pioneering approach with the design and installation of dual “The Mummy”-themed rides at Universal Studios Orlando and Los Angeles . Both indoor rides will utilize a modified version of the LIM technology called the Variable Speed Linear Induction Motor (VSLIM). This technology helped enabled the Universal design team to create a unique “High Velocity Show Immersion System” that will completely engulf the riders' senses when the rides open in 2004. In 2003, Premier also entered into two strategic relationships. The first, with K'NEX Industries (makers of K'NEX Construction Sets), will begin in 2004 with the launch of a roller coaster and theme park attraction design contest for junior and senior high school students. The program focuses on the fun and excitement of designing rides and attractions as a mechanism for teaching physics and engineering. The two companies will also work on a number of other projects, including the design of classroom physics and engineering curricula for all school-age groups and on the development of new K'NEX products featuring designs from Premier's portfolio of rides. The second strategic relationship is with NASCAR, the sanctioning body for stock car racing. This program will focus on the marketing of NASCAR-themed roller coasters and attractions by Premier to theme parks, malls and other entertainment venues.
Premier: Where the Traditional and Innovative Merge Premier is also a global supplier of family attractions such as water rides, traditional (steel and wood) roller coasters, observation towers, Ferris wheels and custom-designed attractions. Each attraction is custom-designed to meet the specific needs and requirements of the client. In designing an attraction, Premier analyzes every aspect of the project. It then utilizes powerful computer aided design (CAD) equipment in association with leading ride safety organizations such as TÜV. “Premier Rides is in the business of fun, but we take our work very seriously,” says Mr. Seay. “We are committed to producing safe, quality attractions that evoke feelings of anticipation, excitement and exhilaration to each and every rider.” Premier Rides has won numerous industry awards, such as the coveted IAAPA “Impact Award” and the “Best New Technology Applied to an Amusement” award as a result of that focus and philosophy.
About Premier Rides Established in 1994, Premier Rides has evolved into the theme park and attraction industry's leading design and manufacturing firm. Best known for its high-tech roller coasters, Premier is also a global supplier of family attractions, such as water rides, traditional (steel and wood) roller coasters, observation towers, Ferris wheels and custom designed attractions. The company is headquartered in Baltimore , Maryland and has additional U.S. , European and Asian offices.
PREMIER RIDES AND NASCAR ANNOUNCE AN EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP THAT WILL HAVE ENTHUSIASTS RACING FOR RIDESBALTIMORE – Premier Rides, the industry leader in the design and manufacture of innovative theme park rides and attractions, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive strategic relationship with NASCAR, the sanctioning body for stock car racing, to design and market NASCAR-themed roller coasters and attractions beginning in 2004. The announcement was made from the floor of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' annual “IAAPA” conference this afternoon in Orlando . Premier Rides President Jim Seay was joined by Mark Dyer, Vice President of Consumer Products, NASCAR, for the announcement. “There is no doubt that NASCAR-branded rides will offer strong appeal to theme parks, malls and other entertainment venues,” said Mr. Seay as he discussed the rationale for designing coasters and attractions that feature stock car racing themes. “Both auto racing and amusement rides deliver action-packed thrills. Until now, most people could only dream of racing around a NASCAR track at top speed each Sunday. With NASCAR-themed rides we can bring the experience and excitement to fans of racing and thrill rides alike.” Mr. Seay and Mr. Dyer unveiled concept renderings of NASCAR-themed ride concepts at the event.* NASCAR has licensed its official marks to Premier, and Premier will be responsible for the design, marketing and installation of the coasters and attractions. “There is an inherent connection between the speed, sounds and thrill of racing and roller coasters,” said Mr. Dyer. “For our 75 million fans, roller coasters are a logical, exciting extension of the NASCAR brand. We are looking forward to working with Premier to bring the NASCAR experience to riders across the United States .”
About NASCAR With 75 million fans, NASCAR is the second most watched sport on television. NASCAR has a broad reach with 1,800 racing events in 36 states at more than 110 tracks. The sanctioning body for stock car racing is headquartered in Daytona Beach, FL, with offices in New York City (Corporate Marketing), Los Angeles (Broadcasting Media and Entertainment), Charlotte, N.C. (Licensing and Aftermarket), and Concord, N.C. (Research and Development Center).
About Premier Rides Established in 1994, Premier Rides has evolved into the theme park and attraction industry's leading design and manufacturing firm. Best known for its high-tech roller coasters, Premier is also a global supplier of family attractions, such as water rides, traditional (steel and wood) roller coasters, observation towers, Ferris wheels and custom designed attractions. The company is headquartered in Baltimore , Maryland and has additional U.S. , European and Asian offices.
PREMIER RIDES AND K'NEX INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCE AN EXCLUSIVE STRATEGIC ALLIANCEBALTIMORE – Premier Rides, the industry leader in the design and manufacture of innovative theme park rides and attractions, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive strategic alliance with K'NEX Industries, makers of the award- winning K'NEX Construction Sets. The alliance will focus on projects that combine the educational and entertainment aspects of K'NEX Construction Sets with Premier Rides' expertise in designing world-class roller coasters and attractions. The announcement by Premier Rides President Jim Seay and K'NEX CEO Norman Walker was made in conjunction with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' annual “IAAPA” conference. “ There are three very exciting components to this exclusive alliance with K'NEX,“said Mr. Seay. “Premier gains the right to market K'NEX-themed rides and attractions, while K'NEX gains the right to produce construction sets based on coasters and attractions designed by Premier. And there is a strong educational component that will help change the way junior high and high school age kids learn about physics and engineering. It is a complete package, and we are very pleased to be working with the incredibly imaginative team at K'NEX.” During the last decade, K'NEX has created an award-winning line of roller coaster and attraction construction kits – a line that is the top seller in the category. “K'NEX-branded rides and attractions represent a completely new retail opportunity for us,” said Mr. Walker. “The whole alliance builds on our strengths – delivering exciting and educational construction sets – and combines it with the strengths of Premier and the enormous reach of theme parks and entertainment venues. We expect the alliance to build over time.” Connecting Imagination and Education for Teens The educational aspect of the alliance will launch in 2004 with a national design competition for junior and senior high school students. The competition is designed to teach students about physics, engineering and design by challenging participants to use K'NEX Construction Sets to build prototype roller coasters and theme park attractions. “The average adolescent finds the idea of learning physics very intimidating,” said Mr. Seay. “That is why our first joint project with K'NEX will be to launch a national roller coaster and theme park attractions building contest. We see that when kids are introduced to physics and engineering concepts by exposure to ride and attraction design, all their fears disappear as they become captivated by the task at hand. It is a great way to break down the barriers with kids and teachers, and to further science concepts in education.” The alliance will also develop classroom curricula for all student age groups that focus on physics, engineering and design. The pre-packed classroom kits will be available in 2005 from K'NEX Education.
About K'NEX Industries Founded in 1992, K'NEX Industries was established to make and sell what has become one of the world's leading construction systems for children. The company's vast line of constructions sets includes a complete offering of theme park ride kits, featuring the award-winning K'NEX Ferris wheel and K'NEX Rippin' Roller Coaster. K'NEX is also the U.S. licensee for the well-known and loved Lincoln Logs brand. Winner of more than 150 international awards and recognitions, K'NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K'NEX Education program. For more information, consumers can visit www.knex.com.
About Premier Rides Established in 1994, Premier Rides has evolved into the theme park and attraction industry's leading design and manufacturing firm. Best known for its high-tech roller coasters, Premier is also a global supplier of family attractions, such as water rides, traditional (steel and wood) roller coasters, observation towers, Ferris wheels and custom designed attractions. The company is headquartered in Baltimore , Maryland and has additional U.S. , European and Asian offices.
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