The Superloops premiered in the early 1970s, manufactured by Larson International who at this time had only produced tractors and other agricultural machinery from their establishment in 1965. Superloops was invented by Walter House (also Gravitron) and his prototype unit travelled North America with Century 21 Shows for many years before being sold to an Australian showmen.
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 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; 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 process, as viewed below) Support cables are then anchored into place for lateral support to the free-standing steel ring. The ride can be set up with only two men in as little as 2-3 hours.
With great draw card value and dominant circular construction it easily catches attention of passers-by while also polluting the midway with its distinct loud clattering as the train rockets around the inside of the loop; further adding to its unique appeal.
Larson has gone on to produce 2 generations of House’s original Superloops design:
The Ring of Fire premiered in the late 1980s sporting computer programmed turbo lights around the ring, which now illuminated 360° under the base, with a re-designed inertia-ring to minimise noise and maintenance.
In 1998 Fireball premiered with a modernised train (over-the-shoulder restraints) and roofless passenger train.
To date there have been approximately 100 Superloop-type units constructed worldwide, a number in Europe manufactured by Vekoma and at least 1 unit manufactured in Australia by CAMAC both under license from Larson.
In recent times the Superloops and its later generations have become less common with the abundance of higher-capacity double vehicle Kamikazes which have proven easier to assemble and maintain also with single trailer portability and perhaps a more modern appeal to today’s generation of carnival goers. Nevertheless, the sight and sound of a 55 foot Superloops / Ring of Fire / Fireball on the horizon of any carnival is something that will always hold an excitement of its own.
awsome reminds me of the ring of fire that i ride every year at the big butler fair. in butler pa
jenn - June 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Dear Sirs To my city come each year a super loop that looks to be made a lot of years ago. Is there any way to know if this machine should stop of operating? Level vibrations or non destructives probes? Many people will thank you. Yours, Jorge Mora Guayaquil - Ecuador
Jorge Mora - June 29th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
They look very cool I see one at my county fair it is a ring of fire ride with a paint scheme blue,yellow,orange,red and it looks nice I can send pics of it to you
Raymond - July 7th, 2009 at 6:36 am
I remember when Wittingslow Amusement’s Super Loop used to operate at Darling Harbour in Sydney. It used to sit next to the Huss Tristar and Galaxy Coaster and was by far the most popular ride in the place. Every weekend that side of Darling Harbour was full of families totally amazed and blown away by this amazing ride and I remember it was only $2.00 a pop then, those were the days!
Ben - July 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
how does this ride work??
Hannah - July 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 am
THE INVERTOR,WALTER HOUSE,WAS MY FATHER-IN-LAW FOR 7 WONDERFUL YEARS. HE WAS SUCH A VISIONARY, AND EXTREMELY TALENTED. A CREATIVE GENIUS. I LIVE IN NORTHERN CALIF NOW, AND STILL GET EXCITED TO SEE A “LOOPS OR GRAVITRON” AT THE STATE AND COUNTY SHOWS OUT HERE. I WAS PRIVILEDGED TO HAVE KNOWN MR HOUSE, AND TO HAVE HELPED OPERATE SOME OF HIS RIDES AT THE NEW MEXICO, AND TEXAS STATE FAIR, BACK IN THE EARLY 1970′S. GO RIDE ONE AND ENJOY IT..WHAT A HOOT.
JERRY - July 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 am
i run this ride at work. its a manual left right rotation design powered my a electric motor spinning 4 or 5 tires than contact the inner ring of the ride. the operation is up to you in how many rotations you do. i do 3 if its light and 4 if its heavy. makes it easier to get the momentum to get it to stop at the top so i can go the other direction
Joey - August 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
at my fair this ride is called ring of fire
Melissa - August 20th, 2009 at 4:15 am
I love this thing! It’s so freaky to hang at the top like you’re stuck for a few seconds, then suddenly fall down backwards! I also love that it’s so unpredictable. The carnie who operates the FireBall at the CNE once hung it upside down for what felt like two minutes, then made it suddenly fall forward into three loops at high speed! Let’s see a Kamikaze do that!
Arcturus - August 27th, 2009 at 2:28 am
buen dia, sabra de alguien que tenga un aparato de estos a la venta? gracias!!
francisco - September 8th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Ring of Fire, Mega Loop, Fire Ball. The fun about these rides are the foremen who operated them. I witnessed a 27-second hanging session upside down on a Ring of Fire at a Detroit carnival, on a video… I get very excited when I can experience a ride like this! I have rode the ringlike rides 150 times in 2009.
Aaron J. Wilburn, Jr. - September 22nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Can anyone tell me if Larson have a new Ring of Fire or Fireball? What’s there price?
Prince06 - October 19th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
In Brazil, a park called Tupã has one of that, called Mega Loop. I never saw one next and I`d like to have the oportunity to ride one. I love amusement machinesa and it looks been a great one.
TATY “EVOLUTION” - BRAZIL.
Taty "Evolution" - February 1st, 2010 at 10:14 am
Did it happened some accident with this ride???
Taty "Evolution" - February 1st, 2010 at 10:15 am
Yes sum1 did fall frm a ride exactly like this, in the 1980s at the hoppings funfair a young girl either partly or totaly fell, resulting in the loss of both her lower legs.
Angie - February 4th, 2010 at 3:23 am
err is there any in Australia
Joe - February 20th, 2010 at 11:17 am
In the Sarasota county Fair here in Florida,we have the late 1980’s Ring of Fire ride and about 2 years ago in 2008 they set up the ride and the train or cart was upsidedown just sitting there with parts dismanteled. They said it was under construction and the last day of the fair it was open and with little problems but it was still a good ride!!
Cristian - February 21st, 2010 at 3:02 am
i really need helpm from you guys is there going to be a super loops,ring of fire.or fireball ride the larson kind please if anybody has an answer please say it will be there or please say no and i remember the ring of fire weas awsome it has a tight lap bar that is tight and a huge like stick u hold ur safe but anyone give me information of every ride thats going to be trehre thx
dean - March 1st, 2010 at 7:30 am
if theres going to be any of those rides please can people say there is going to be one in the hamtramck michigan polish festival name all the rides thank you guys
dean - March 1st, 2010 at 7:31 am
My grandfather, my father’s father, is Walter House (now deceased). As I was estranged from him as a child, I can still remember watching him work, and seeing his drawings. Finding this information brings back those memories, and allows me to pass on information to my children. Thank You!
Tonya Sundbye - April 28th, 2010 at 2:51 am
i rode this at kentucky state fair it was ao cool!!
cman101 - June 21st, 2010 at 9:14 am
so cool!!
cman101 - June 21st, 2010 at 9:14 am
I saw this ride go up in 1972 and it was a sight to see..
nancy lee pearce - June 27th, 2010 at 10:11 am
heyy my name is nicole and and i went on this 59 times this year it comes to illinois its awesome!
nicole - July 4th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Kentucky fair 2009 funnest frikin ride there!!(maybe)
Dylan - July 7th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Clementon Park got 1 in 2010
mb - July 30th, 2010 at 5:08 am
Did someone loose a leg on the ride at Great Yarmouth pleasure beach Norfolk in 1980’s????
James - August 19th, 2010 at 6:05 am
best ride ever so much fun
Chris - August 26th, 2010 at 3:33 pm