Hypersonic Xtreme Launch Coaster(XLC) thrilled many park guests & coaster enthusiasts for 6 incredible seasons at Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA. From its blue & yellow color trains to the sounds of compressed air pumping from the big red tanks to propel the train down the launch track, many park guests and enthusiasts could not crave one more ride on this one-of-a-kind ride.

Hypersonic XLC was manufactured by S&S Power of Provo, UT. Stan Checketts created a prototype at his facility that used compressed air and Pneumatic tire technology to launch the train up the hill and back down again. Hypersonic had some issues in the 2002-2003 season when it was closed for the first 3 months to develop new trains for the ride & do some other maintainence work to the ride. Hypersonic continued to have numerous downtimes leading into each season and Kings Dominion continued to keep the ride open and going as much as possible.

In 2006, Cedar Fair purchased the park from Paramount, and Hypersonic became a coaster under debate. The ride was listed for sale in the 2006 offseason as Kings Dominion looked for a potential buyer. Screamscape had reported that the park would remove Hypersonic XLC after Labor Day in 2007 if they did not find a buyer or the ride was purchased. In January 2008 Kings Dominion confirmed that the ride would be removed from the park for the 2008 season. The ride still remains in a field behind the Hurler, and is waiting for a scrap metal sale or an amusement park to purchase the ride, according to PR Manager John Pagel.

Written By: Brian M