The SuperLoops debuted in the early 1970’s, manufactured by Larson International who, prior to SuperLoops, had only produced tractors and other agricultural machinery from their establishment in 1965. The Superloop’s inventor is believed to be Walter House (who also invented Gravitron) and his prototype unit travelled North America with Century 21 Shows for many years.
The loop’s 20 person train shuttles back and forth around the inside of the loop, attached to an ‘inertia ring’ - a circular 360° conveyor-belt locked into a track. This inertia ring is powered by the friction of hydraulic motors in the ride’s base, providing it with both clockwise and counter-clockwise movements at the discretion of the ride’s operator (who sits in a steel frame immediately beside the track).
The Superloops is truly unique in its design, with no other ride coming close to its easily recognisable 23-metre (55 ft) steel ring construction. Perhaps the most intriguing element of this ride is the ingenious fold-up design that is not only capable of fitting onto a single trailer, but also self-assembling WITHOUT the use of a crane - via 2 large hydraulic rams at the loop’s base, each third of the loop folds out while the upper portions, in turn, hinge upward eventually connecting at the top-centre. (the fastening of the top of the ring is a very precarious step, as viewed below) Support cables are then anchored into place to provide further lateral support to the freestanding stationary steel loop. The ride can be set up with only two men in as little as 2-3 hours.
Superloops provides great drawcard value with its dominant circular construction, easily catching the gaze of passers-by while also polluting the midway with the characteristic loud clattering of the inertia-ring rollers as the train rockets around the inside of the loop; further adding to its unique appeal.
Larson has gone on to produce another 2 generations of House’s original Superloops design:
The Ring of Fire debuted in the late 1980’s sporting computer programmed turbo lights around the ring, which now illuminated 360 degrees right under the trailer base, as well as an updated design of the inertia-ring to minimize maintenance.
In 1998 Fireball debuted with a roofless passenger train giving unobstructed rider views, with newer over-the-shoulder restraints.
To date there have been approximately 100 Superloop-type rides constructed worldwide, some fabricated outside of US under license from Larson. Examples include units in Europe manufactured by Vekoma and at least 1 unit manufactured in Australia (company unknown).
In recent times outside North America, the Superloops and its later generations have largely become obsolete due to the abundance of greater capacity double vehicle Rangers and Kamikazes which have proven easier to assemble and maintain while still offering single trailer portability and even faster set-up times, and perhaps a more modern appeal to today’s generation of carnival goers. Nevertheless, the sight and rattling sound of a 55’ Superloops and its screaming occupants on the horizon of any carnival is something that will always hold an excitement of its own.
