Formula Rossa

TÜV SÜD tests the world's fastest rollercoaster in accordance with the EN 13814 European standard for Fairground and Amusement Rides and Structures

From zero to 240 kilometres per hour – the world's fastest rollercoaster.

(January 2011)

The "Formula Rossa" rollercoaster in Abu Dhabi has a drive system based on a hydraulic cable winch that delivers 32,000 HP. TÜV SÜD Industrie Service ensures that the ride meets the internationally recognised level of safety.

The opening of the new Ferrari World theme park in the Abu Dhabi desert in early November witnessed the world premiere of the Formula Rossa rollercoaster, which accelerates from zero to 240 kilometres per hour in only 4.5 seconds. This acceleration makes the Formula Rossa, which is located in direct proximity to the Emirate's new Formula 1 racetrack, the world's fastest rollercoaster. To ensure the safety of the catapult-like start to the ride, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH, Munich, provided ongoing support to the manufacturer of the Formula Rossa rollercoaster, from planning to placing into service.

Rollercoaster certified as per the EN 13814 standard

"The biggest challenge of this ride lies in the enormous amount of energy released within a very short time, which must be safely controlled", explains project manager Thomas Urig from the Amusement Rides and Structures department of TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. "After all, the hydraulic winch drive of the Formula Rossa has a power of roughly 24,000 kW, which corresponds to 32,000 HP."

The rollercoaster was tested and inspected in accordance with the EN 13814 standard for Fairground and Amusement Rides and Structures. The services provided by TÜV SÜD Industrie Service included review of the technical documentation, ongoing quality assurance during production and final approval testing before the amusement ride was placed into service. As the amusement ride is a highly complex technical system, it required the collaboration of TÜV SÜD experts from various disciplines. "Nine colleagues, all of them specialists in their respective disciplines, were occupied in reviewing the documentation over several months" reports Thomas Uhrig. "The extensive final approval testing on-site in Abu Dhabi occupied three colleagues for a period of ten days."

 

Benefits at a glance 

  • Ensuring an internationally recognized safety level
  • Testing and inspection in accordance with the EN 13814 European standard for Fairground and Amusement Rides and Structures
  • Longstanding experience in the testing and inspection of fairground and amusement rides

The Formula Rossa is one of a total of thirteen attractions at the theme park, all of which were tested by the Munich-based TÜV SÜD experts in accordance with the EN 13814 European standard. "A priority for the operator of the theme park was that all amusement rides should meet a high and internationally recognized level of safety", explains Thomas Uhrig. In spite of the complex demands, the assignment in Abu Dhabi was routine for the team of TÜV SÜD experts. TÜV SÜD has carried out initial and periodic testing and inspection of fairground and amusement rides and structures for years across the world, for example in Europe, the USA, Asia and now also in the Middle East.

The Amusement Rides and Structures department looks back on a long history. It was founded in 1929 to test the rides and structures at the Munich Oktoberfest. Then as now, the TÜV SÜD experts still carry out these test and inspections on behalf of the capital of Bavaria.