First look at testing of new ‘Fast & Furious’ coaster at Universal Studios

Park visitors are getting their first look at testing of the new “Fast & Furious” ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, which is set to open next year.

Dylan Dickson, who runs Theme Park Obsession, posted several short video clips to social media on Tuesday, showing one of the trains being gently propelled by an electromagnetic launch just before the mammoth inversion in the lower lot of the park.

Full-speed testing hasn’t begun – at least not during the park’s normal business hours when the footage was recorded.

“Another swing launch today I was able to capture,” Dylan wrote. “(It) still didn’t go over the inversion, that won’t be until later but it’s still so fun to watch the train at this segment.”

“Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s first high-speed outdoor coaster and will feature rotating cars that mimic the drifting action from the “Fast & Furious” movie franchise.

Riders will reach speeds of up to 72 miles per hour as they careen along the 4,100-foot track that starts from a themed queue in the upper lot, descends into the lower lot with a series of launches and inversions, then loops around the Starway Escalator before returning to the station.

Anticipating a lot of screams, Universal has incorporated noise-reducing technology to the ride, including a large sound wall and half-pipe shields to keep the sound from traveling into nearby communities. The entire track is also filled with pea gravel to minimize ride vehicle sound, park officials said.

The exact opening date hasn’t been announced.

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