Kings Dominion, an amusement park just north of Richmond, VA, will debut a 5,100-foot Giga-coaster called the Intimidator 305, named after NASCAR Sprint Cup Series legend “The Intimidator” Dale Earnhardt in the spring of 2010.

The coaster will be only the second Giga-coaster in North America. Giga-coasters ultra-high coasters with a first drop of 300 feet or more. The Intimidator will have a drop of 305, hence the 305 in the name. The huge drop will result in car speeds of 90 miles per hour.

The train cars will resemble Dale Earnhardt’s famous black race car and the ride time will be 3 minutes.

“Intimidator 305 will break records as the single largest capital investment in the history of Kings Dominion,” Pat Jones, Kings Dominion’s vice president and general manager, said. “The numbers speak for themselves, at a cost of $25 million, a lift hill and first drop close to the height of the park’s landmark Eiffel Tower; you’ll have to see it to believe it.”

Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company will partner up to build the record breaking ride.

“We’re excited to see this new roller coaster celebrate the speed and intensity of the legendary career of Dale Earnhardt,” Jeff Steiner, executive vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., said. “There are millions of fans that still honor their racing hero and this is a very real way for them to connect with the spirit and passion of the Intimidator™.”

For more information on the ride and to watch a live webcam from the construction site, visit www.intimidator305.com.

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