News & Articles Park Database Gallery & Media Community About Advertisement

Construction Timeline

Back to Mick Doohan's Motocoaster profile.

02 Jul 2007


Construction is underway on Dreamworld's latest roller coaster with track building up on the site.


Unique for Intamin roller coasters of this size, Dreamworld's motorbike coaster will feature Intamin's lightest gauge of track.


The light "two rail" track suggests the coaster will have light trains without large g-forces.


The coaster's track is yellow, making it the third coaster at Dreamworld with yellow track, after Cyclone and Rugrats Runaway Reptar.


All track is being stored on the western side of Tower of Terror's launch track while construction for the ride takes place on the other side.


Some of the transfer track sections, suggesting two-train operation on this coaster.


Some of the twisted track that'll make up heavily banked turns and hills across the course of the roller coaster.


As you can expect from a ride designed to mimic a motorcycle, it'll be a largely low-profile ride without large hills.


A look at the ends of some track showing how two pieces are bolted together.



Some of the many small support poles.


The support and track join method is quite unique to this coaster. Most Intamins use larger tubular steel supports.


An overview of the track storage area.


These angled supports have been installed along the eastern side of the ride.


As can be seen there are still a lot of earthworks still underway, with more footings yet to be installed.


You can see the track will take a turn to the left here.


From this perspective the profile of the track on these angled supports can be seen. The track will crest a hill and slope down into the brake run as is typical on Intamin coasters.


This straight section will likely make up the station and lead into the hydraulic launch track.


Supports in place for the station and transfer track area.




The footings in place at the southern end of the track.


The track will turn around at this end twice.


After coming out of the second turnaround the track will perform a twist to the left


The haphazard nature of the footings at this end of the coaster gives you a good idea of how twisted the track will be, with numerous crossovers and near-misses.



An overview of the southern end of the construction site.



Stay tuned for more coverage of this roller coaster's construction at Roller-Coaster.com.au.

09 Jul 2007


Construction in the past week has seen the launch track and station and brake area go up.


The layout is becoming abundantly clear with supports going up at the north end of the area where the bulk of the layout is situated.



After the launch the track will twist right into an upward turn to the left.


The track gently curves upwards as seen by the profile of the supports.


The brake run has been completed, with Intamin's trademark crest into the alloy fins that smoothly slow the train.



Track waiting on site with more still to be delivered.


Several more supports are to go in the abrupt gap towards the left.


The low height of the launch has meant that the electronics and launch components can be installed on the track after the segments have been put into place.



A close look at the banking angle of the first turn.



The transfer track section near the station.


The number of remaining footings gives you an idea of how much more track there is yet to be installed.


A closer look at the transfer track. In normal operation the straight segment will be in place. To add or remove the second track the segment moves to the left, connecting the curved section to the storage track to the left.


A look at the final brake run. Its relatively short length indicates it'll be hitting these brakes at a relatively slow pace.


Construction of the ride's surrounds is also keeping up with the entrance and main building underway.


The station section will be found along this straight before the launch.


By cresting over a hill before hitting the brakes, it ensures that the train hits the brakes with enough speed to keep moving down and not roll back onto the course of the ride.



Stay tuned for more updates from Roller-Coaster.com.au on the latest construction at Dreamworld.

16 Jul 2007


Over the course of the past week, the coaster's track has not progressed any further.


Roller coasters are like giant jigsaw puzzles where everything must be assembled in a certain order to ensure that it can be safely and easily completed.


A look at one of the track joins.


The sections of track that have already been installed are those which will be hardest to access later on as a result of construction taking place at other areas on the site.


The buildings at the ride's entrance will be completed in a matter of weeks with foundations in place.



Components on the launch track are being installed.



The new coaster's launch will run directly parallel with Tower of Terror's.


The area around the station is being walled in to contain the bulk of the coaster's electronics and other mechanisms.


Plenty of supports have appeared on the site in the past week.


The supports are clamped, not directly bolted, to the track, via the eight holes at the top of each support.


Each support is numbered for easy referencing; they are numbered in sequential order so lower numbers come earlier in the course.


No further work has gone on at the southern end of the course.


some of the banked track that'll soon be put into position.



A look down the launch track.




Stay tuned for further updates on the coaster's construction from Roller-Coaster.com.au

23 Jul 2007


A week on work continues on Dreamworld's latest roller coaster.


The launch track will see trains accelerate from the station out into the course.


The transfer track is nearing completion.


This is where the second train will be stored for maintenance etc. while they are only operating a single train.



Much of the past few weeks have focused on the ride's buildings, which will house the station, queues as well as back of house areas to hold the coaster's electronics, computer systems and mechanical components.


A close look at the launch track from side-on.


In the foreground you can see the footings for the final turn into the brake run. The final element will be a big s-bend before coming to a halt in the brakes.



Activity with some of the track as it is prepared for installation.





Only a small percentage of the total track and supports have yet been installed, with the majority yet to come.


The main building has shot up over the past week.


Riders will enter in the same area as the Vintage Cars did.



The building will house the ride's associated shops at the front.


The curve from the brake run into the station.


Here you can see the brackets for the kicker wheels that will bring the train into the station at a steady pace.



The final turn into the brake run can be seen clearly here.


This shows just how close the ride comes to the water.


Much effort has been made by Dreamworld to keep many of the original trees in tact.





These footings are being ground level before the support is bolted in place.


Some supports and track had to be installed early on as the design of the coaster in relation to its surrounds will make it difficult or impossible to get equipment like cranes and other machinery into position.


Likewise, there will be segments of track and supports that are left until very last to allow access to other areas.




Once the site is cleaned up after construction it'll be a very attractive coaster thanks to its natural surrounds.



Stay tuned to Roller-Coaster.com.au for the latest updates from Dreamworld!

31 Jul 2007


Construction this week has seen the station area go into place and much of the ride has gone vertical.


Trains will launch directly out of the station. The coaster will feature separate load and unload stations which will allow the coaster to achieve better efficiency.


A close look at the turn out of the station. As you can see it curves away from the direction of the turn. This is because modern coasters are designed around the rider's centre of gravity. While the train curves away, riders' upper torso will transition seamlessly into the turn.


Underneath the station will be the back of house area for maintenance etc.


The transfer track for adding and removing the second train is located between the two stations.



Walkways have been installed around the turn between the brake run and the station.


The final turn into the brake run. At only 600m the coaster is short but will maintain speed up until the end thanks to its low profile.


The track into the brake run, like most Intamin coasters, features a small hill that allows the train to ease into the brakes more easily by reducing the speed with gravity, and also to allow for a downward slope in the brake run so that it can be gravity-fed into the station to reduce wear and energy requirements.


The outer track will slightly overhang the water, but the effect for riders will be minimal due to the heavy banking of the track.


At this stage around half the track is in place on the actual course of the ride.



Still not installed are the coaster's two highest points, this one being the tallest section of the ride.


The layout based around turns and gentle slopes to emphasise the ride's relatively sedate top speed of 72km/hr.



Rapid changes in direction such as s-bends like that in the centre of this photo will help create the sensation of speed this coaster is based around.



The layout doesn't rely on the terrain as much as it could, with most of the track being raised several metres.


Like a giant jigsaw puzzle, the lower track of this crossover needed to be installed first to make everything click together properly..



The first turn out of the launch is among the last big sections yet to be installed.


With a top height of 7m, the Motocoaster struggles to be seen behind even Tower of Terror's launch track.


A look at some of the more twisted track.


The coaster was officially launched last Friday as the Mick Doohan Motocoaster.


The traditional track-mounted bolt plates Intamin coasters normally have are gone on this coaster.



Owing to its relatively consistent height throughout the coaster, it will maintain a steady speed throughout.



With 18 turns on its course, the Motocoaster will be filled with of plenty of positive g-forces around the banked turns.


The lowest section of the ride is actually its launch track.





The coaster will be the second modern Intamin roller coaster in Australia, after Warner Bros. Movie World's Superman Escape which debuted in 2005.


Each section of track is bolted to the next, which makes maintenance considerably easier than older roller coasters like Cyclone where the track is all welded together.


The final swoop into the brake run.



These sections of track will make up the crests of hills.



Seen from the Goldrush section of Dreamworld, this gives an idea of the coaster's impact in other areas of the park.


From afar it doesn't stand out too much, thanks to the extensive foliage that was kept in tact.




One of the two high turns that's not yet had track put in place.


The speed that steel roller coasters can be constructed is really emphasised when you consider that none of the track visible was installed a week ago.


After the high point in the centre, the track twists down into the brakes to the right.


Its impact will be relatively low as guests walk from the front of the park towards it.


This will be the shopfront selling Motocoaster and general racing merchandise.


Stay tuned for more updates on the Mick Doohan Motocoaster's construction at Dreamworld!

07 Aug 2007


Over the past week, vertical construction of the Motocoaster has been completed.


The highest point is only 7m above the ground, allowing the coaster to maintain a fast speed throughout the course.


With 18 banked turns throughout the course and numerous abrupt direction changes, the feeling of speed will be heightened.


This time last week this first tun out of the launch was yet to be built.


Trees were left around the course to add to the visual appeal of the ride.


As discussed in last week's update, to maintain a consistent heart line point for riders for a smoother ride the curve from the straight into the first turn curves down and away from the turning direction at first.


Some of the turns are more flatly banked which will provide a different sensation through the curves with more lateral forces and less vertical.


One of the track crossovers which, coupled with the riders' free arms, is sure to create a unique head-chopper effect.


The track is entirely contained within the area between Tower of Terror and the river.


Thanks to Tower of Terror's launch track and also surrounding vegetation, it's hard to get more than a glimmer of the track from many areas surrounding the ride.


The highest point of the track features a rapid directional change.


As the coaster is built entirely from Intamin's two-rail track, it is a relatively unique coaster for the manufacturer.


Come September there will be two coasters launching parallel to each other along this section of the park.



The track as it curves out of the launch and turns to the right.


Now that the basic station area is in place, work will shift to getting its operational aspects in place.


The load station will be between the transfer track section and the front of the station area, with the unload directly behind it.


The 'guts' of the coaster are being installed.


A new substation has been put in place to power the coaster. Its power capacity is 0.5 megawatts, or just under a quarter of the power requirements of Tower of Terror's launch.


Now that the coaster's track is completed, remaining construction parts will be for the ride's surrounds.



Stay tuned for more Motocoaster from Roller-Coaster.com.au

14 Sep 2007


A look at what will become the Motocoaster's queue switchback area. To enter the queue riders pass under the track.


The main entrance for riders will be along here. Out the front will be a demo bike for potential riders to see if they meet the requirements, as well as photo opportunities etc.


This ramp will allow wheelchair access and also facilitate parent swap. This area will also be covered for shade while guests queue.


The queue extends under the track. Along this area will be motorcycle theming elements as well as eight hall of fame spots to focus on different champion riders.


The track passes directly over the queue. Rainfall collected from the shaded area will be stored in nearby tanks for general use around the park.


The station is very open, containing the final stretch of the queue as well as the load and unload platforms. At this point the queue will split to allow riders to choose the sidecar seats etc.


Into the loading platform, the gates will automatically open once the train is in position, allowing riders to board.


Loose items can be stored in the provided rack area (at the rider's risk). The rack will rotate to allow safer storage simultaneously for up to three trainloads of passengers.


The finished station area will not feature bare concrete, but will be decorated to fit in with the racing theme.


A look at the first of two trains on the coaster. The bikes are life-sized 500cc replicas.


The riders on the far side will cross over to the far side of the station for quicker loading of both riders.


Riders will mount the bikes and lock into position.


In addition to the bikes, there will also be two sidecars found at the rear of the trains. These will allow smaller riders to safely ride to create a family-oriented thrill ride experience.


Bob Tan, General Manager Special Projects, demonstrates the seating procedure. As riders lower the front section of the bike into place, the bar will automatically tilt into position behind them.


The transfer track to allow trains to be added and removed from the track. In low periods only one train will operate.


The second train, showing the sidecars at the rear of the train.


Underneath the station the mechanical and electrical components that safely operate the coaster can be found.


A look at some of the ride control system. From here all aspects of the coaster's operation are controlled.


The accumulator system, where compressed hydraulic fluid is pumped to prepare for each launch. This is kept in a separate room from the other components in the back-of-house area due to the nature of the highly compressed gasses and oils used.


The complexity of a ride like this is shown by the sheer number of cables and pipes.


The hydraulic pump that charges the previously shown accumulator. This operates constantly to deliver a steady flow of fluid into the accumulator. The launch is achieved by releasing the stored energy in the accumulator.


By using a smaller pump that constantly operates rather than a system that only operates during the launch period, it allows for overall lower installation and operating expenses.


The load station is directly above this area.


There are hundreds of metres of piping to transport the pressurised oil to the 48 drive wheels found on the launch track.


Because of the huge distances the pressurised oil must travel and the likeliness for leaks is typical for hydraulic systems, Dreamworld is using a biodegradable oil in the hydraulic systems.


The trains will be launched right out of the station into the ride's course.


In addition to biodegradable oil, a containment system has been installed along the launch track that will ensure that leaks will flow into this conduit for safe handling of any major or minor spills.


In the event of a misfire of the launch system, the wheels are designed to act as the braking system. The wheels will lock to bring the train to a safe stop back in the station. A UPS system is utilised to ensure that a power outage midway through will not interrupt the launch procedure.


Looking out from the launch into the course, showing the complex array of piping that converts the stored energy of the compressed fluid in the hydraulics into rotational energy to drive the trains forward.


Naturally, with some weeks to go before opening, the landscaping of the area is far from completed.


Elements of the racing theme are clear, such as with the checkered flags, with much more yet to come.


With the drought conditions in South East Queensland, as with much of Australia, any rainfall is valuable and rainwater tanks are becoming an important part of any development.


The launch of the coaster leads into the highest point on the track. Like most roller coasters, once it has reached this point it will be able to complete the remainder of course relying on gravity alone, meaning slightly slower launches won't be a problem.


With a capacity of close to 750 riders per hour, it'll be Dreamworld's most efficient thrill ride.


A close look at the gradual banking out of the launch into the course.


The ride was designed to remain low to the ground throughout to heighten the feeling of speed along the course.


At this point the track is banked to over 60�. This is also where on-ride photos will be taken from. Trains will pass from left to right, with the photo roughly from this angle.


Boom lift access for maintenance will be needed so the landscaping will minimal but tasteful with some gardened areas around the course.


The track maintains a smooth, articulated feel throughout, as has become the norm for Intamin.


18 changes of direction / banked turns are found on the course.


Another look at the photograph area. The photos will be able to be viewed and purchased in the ride's main shop which they exit through.


Testing will commence in the near future ahead of its opening a few weeks from now.


The official opening date is expected at some stage in September, though Dreamworld are keeping a close guard on it.


Stay tuned to Roller-coaster.com.au for all the latest from the Mick Doohan Motocoaster.

Back to Mick Doohan's Motocoaster profile.