I would tend to side with the argument of saying that Piston Slip Rings are loose as being false - if it was then the ride would surely not pass it's functional test with LTC - especially after the amount of modifications that TP have had to make the the bloody ride.When swing A turned up on site back in 2005, they found the thing wouldn't mate up at all with the two supports that hang it off of the top of the ride. A lot of welding work had to be done to make sure it fitted up; so I presume LTC then went an inspected everything to make sure it's up for S&S guidelines.

Went today and I have to say both sides were running like they did when I first rode it but were in sync! Even the 'bad swing (can't remember whether it is A or B.) it was truly amazing and had really intense and airtime filled rides! Hooray for going well beyond 90 degrees for the first time in forever.

Not to mention it was a deal to get Slammer from S&S as well!

Indeed. Rush was offered with a huge discount as it was 'a first' and although Skyhawk is bigger, its ride cycle is A LOT shorther than Rush.

Indeed. Rush was offered with a huge discount as it was 'a first' and although Skyhawk is bigger, its ride cycle is A LOT shorther than Rush.

That must be bad, Rush's cycle is terribly short!

Skyhawk is also AWFUL...Bigger never does equal better... It just felt too big and forceless...

I would tend to side with the argument of saying that Piston Slip Rings are loose as being false - if it was then the ride would surely not pass it's functional test with LTC - especially after the amount of modifications that TP have had to make the the bloody ride.When swing A turned up on site back in 2005, they found the thing wouldn't mate up at all with the two supports that hang it off of the top of the ride. A lot of welding work had to be done to make sure it fitted up; so I presume LTC then went an inspected everything to make sure it's up for S&S guidelines.

It is true, I assure you. It's being like that for the last few seasons, it's not a major problem at all, it just means air pressure in either half of the piston is lost slightly as the ride is in operation. I have a very reliable source on this.And NeilFever, that is how the ride is meant to perform, in reality, it's very different.

Thinking about it, should Thorpe decide to do the fixes (which probably won't happen), you know that if they can make a marketing spin off about it, they will. Stealth gets tweaked and it becomes Stealth 1.1 (or something like that), Saw gets no changes what so ever and it is all of a sudden more terrifying than ever: Rush gets the fixes and gives a little boost to the ride experience but not noticeable to most of the public and it will no doubt become Rush reloaded.

I vote we rip Rush out and steal Barnstormer from Dollywood to replace it. No sync problems, and an amazing looking giant barn and cool queue. Problem solved.Love you really Rush

Out of the 3 Swings I have done, I actually prefer the one at Kennywood, as it seemed to swing higher than both Rush and Barnstormer. The themeing on Barnstormer was brilliant though, with Kennywoods not being themed, being an amusement park, and a bloody good one aswell. You can keep Pleasure Beach Blackpool

Again, as things are a little quiet around here; here's a little look back at 2005 and the build up to Rush's opening

Used to love that purple Thorpe Park logo.I remember that day well. I was in a Geography AS exam and all I could think about was how I wasn't at Rush's first day. May 27th wasn't it?

Edited December 29, 201113 yr by Mark9
Edited for truth

Awkward when the advert says 27th .I remember this well though, I love it.. never a fan of the purple logo. Silver was sexy. But Rush opening was amazing!

Only did a couple of cycles before the dreaded S&S curse took full hold, but was a great little event. Was even meant to be bigger too, with flags and banners over the bridge, that were sadly never put up.(As ever, credit where it's due if you re-use these else where, please)

Awkward when the advert says 27th .

Not a bad guess from me though babe

Yes I remember this event, the queue was absolutely crazy streching round the attraction with additional cattle fencing!

Indeed there was! The ride opened late just after 2:00pm after only being handed over to the park from S&S moments before. A laminated sign was later put up at admissions thanking guests for their understanding of the technical problems and 'teething problems' during ride 'previews'. The queueline was also held outside of the main queue path, as the park tried to avoid guest complaints whilst the shut downs caused inevitable queueline closures.I expect the ride opening later than expected was the reason that the banners and flags across the park were never put up. The messages on them were: 'You're 135 metres away from the ultimate Rush' (there were several of these counting down, the closer to the attraction you got), 'Rush; don't go home without one' etc.. There were also sweets handed out, rock peice sweets, with Rush written through them.It had a rocky start, and as an additional ride to Slammer that year, it's suprising that it has become the most popular of the two!

It's just so much more accessible. All the factors that help Rush such as location, ease of loading, fun and thrilling work completely against Slammer.

ALL good points number nine! Interesting to find Rush here in the early 2005 gate map, advertised with a June opening!

Wasn't it ALWAYS going to be delayed? And after the Vortex late opening incident with Watchdog, they were just covering themselves just in case?

Perhaps, yes. Advertise a June opening, then open it early for 'previews', which would have given them all the excuses for the difficult first days of operation.

I'm surprised Thorpe haven't begun doing this more really; advertising for ride opening a month or two after season start so they can open for "previews" or my favourite when american parks call them "technical rehearsals".

Just wondering if anyone knows whether Rush is open or not at the moment as I have heard some rumours saying that it has been down since opening?

It wasn't open yesterday. In fact there were engineers working on the pulley cables on one side. Looked like they were fitting them to be honest. Can't see it being up and running that quickly!!

They had a water dummy sat in one of the seats and all the restrains were taken off yesterday too. It was a shame because Rush is easily my favorite flat ride in the park.Poor old S&S, they just seem to be causing maintenance nightmares for Thorpe.