Sheikra at Busch Gardens Africa

This is Sheikra at Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, FL. Sheikra was named after an Africa bird of prey of the same name, that dives straight down on it's prey from great heights.

This was the first Dive coaster in the Western Hemisphere and was the world's first roller coaster to feature a true 90 degree first drop. It was alos the first dive coaster to have two such drops and an inversion. It opened on May 21, 2005 with it's floor intact. In 2007, it was converted into it's current, floorless version. It was built by B&M and stands at a lofty 200ft/60.96m tall with a top speed of 80mph128.74kph and a track lenght of 3188ft971.7m and a ride time of 2 min 20 sec.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Sheikra
• Shiekra
• floorless
• dive
• coaster
• steel
• roller
• B&M
• Bolliger
• and
• Mabillard
• Busch
• Gardens
• Africa
• Tampa
• FL
• Florida
• Anheuser
• Blackstone
• Group
• Entertainment
• SeaWorld
• Sea
• World
• Parks
• roller coaster
• ride
• park

[SaraeStrange]

Do you like sheikra?

[woodencoasterfan]

@SaraeStrange Absolutely, I ride her atleast once when I'm there.

[TheThundercoaster]

@Woodencoasterfan,Great video! What did you think while being hung 200 feet in the air?

[woodencoasterfan]

@TheThundercoaster It's very unique. There aren't many coasters out there that have a holding brake at the top.

[JClarke0912]

Actually I read in a book featuring Oblivion that Oblivion was 87-88 degrees. Still, who cares? lol

[XxHxcDancer6xX]

ooooh ok thnx for the info...i had no idea oblivion was 89 degrees....oh well..

[woodencoasterfan]

Oblivion was the first Dive Coaster and it's first drop was at 89 degrees. Sheikra was the 3rd Dive Coaster built and the first coaster in the world with a true vertical drop at 90 degrees. I know it's only one little degree, but that means alot in terms of advertising for the park.

[XxHxcDancer6xX]

huh?? i thought it was oblivion??

[andrewbarrett42]

Prefer Griffon.

[woodencoasterfan]

This was the first coaster to have at true 90 degree first drop.