Five Years Later: Speed The Ride Sits in the Sun, Maybe Rebuild it Downtown?
Michael Movestro would like to see Speed The Ride brought back to life… Downtown
Recently, when editing BigAzMarty’s article on the Mandalay Bay Executive Suite Room, I happened upon one of his pictures. This one in particular:
I remembered a story some time back about Speed The Ride. Speed The Ride was a roller coaster which operated from April of 2000 to May of 2011 and ran outside and partially through the Sahara Las Vegas. When the Sahara was to become SLS, it was dismantled at the Sahara and brought to what was to be called “Akita Plaza” which would have been a shopping center with restaurants and a concert venue across from Mandalay Bay. It also would have been near the planned-but-discontinued Skyview Ferris Wheel.
Here’s a video of Speed The Ride in action:
So back to that picture. As I was looking at it I wondered if the dismantled Speed the Ride was still out there. So I zoomed in and looked around…..and there it was, blurry, but, there.
“After all this time?” I thought. I took to Google Maps, loaded up an aerial view, and looked around, wondering where exactly it was. Sure enough, there it was. Begin sequence…now.
Five years after it was dismantled, Speed the Ride sits in the sun on Four Seasons Drive between Las Vegas Boulevard and Haven Street. Is is salvageable? If so…I’d love to see it brought downtown to be put up as an attraction. Perhaps, The Stevens could add it as part of the future 18 Fremont Street project (former Las Vegas Club), or maybe it can be erected (giggity) in a vacant lot, or perhaps part of the Downtown Events Center.
As Speed the Ride is part of Vegas’ history, it would be great to see it live yet again. The chance for a piece of history to find a new home isn’t uncommon. Much like the train cars that served merely as a display at Main Street Station found a new home, I wonder if perhaps the Sahara’s roller coaster could once again thrill folks with it’s 70mph vertical climb.
[Images: BizAzMarty, Google Maps]
Michael Movestro founded Vegas Bright to continue the tradition when Vegas Chatter cashed out. Michael pays the bills, maintains the site, writes articles, hosts VBN – Vegas Bright Newscast.
15 thoughts on “Five Years Later: Speed The Ride Sits in the Sun, Maybe Rebuild it Downtown?”
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Holy Eagle Eye Batman! Nice detective work! I rode this coaster on an all day pass many years ago. we probably did it 10 times in 2 hours. So much fun.
Sounds like a lot of fun!
Good eye spotting that in BigAzMartys picture! If this was set up, I’d actually try it out, unlike the Strat rides … there’s something about being held over the side of a 900ft tall tower that’s unnerving to me. Gimmie a thrill ride on the ground and I’m in lol.
I can not bring myself to even think about riding one of those….no way. Especially that one with the cars on a rail, and then it does the drop. And then, you think it’s over and DROPS AGAIN! Hellz no! hahaha
Great catch! I was wondering what happened to Speed. I’m bummed I never got to ride it when it was at the Sahara. I think it would be good to go up the side of the Stratosphere if there’s room.
Sounds like something that would be up their alley, hard to believe no one inquired about a purchase price.
Something similar was proposed once. http://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2001/aug/28/stratospheres-plans-for-ride-opposed/
Fascinating!!! I loved riding SPEED. It was a must, even when not staying at Sahara. Of course, I usually wanted to toss my cookies afterward, but it was worth it. It was a great day to hop the monorail from center-Strip, get off at Sahara, walk down to Stratosphere to ride the four (now three) attractions up there, hit SPEED, then back on the monorail for Star Trek Experience at Hilton. Where did the north-Strip fun go?
North Strip fun now consists of Bazaar Meat and Lucky Dragon I guess???
I rode it a few times. back then I used to love coasters — front seat if the line was not too long. nowadays, I am very uncomfortable with heights. I doubt if I ever will ride again.
I hear ya, I Haven’t been on a rollercoaster in…about 6 years maybe? Not sure I would do it again, I’m comfortable with the ones that have a harness over you, not the ones that lock you in by the knees.
Time ago, I read an article that said the owner of Neonopolis planned to put a roller coaster and a wave pool on the rooftop of the mall
Interesting…that could be pretty fun!
Like Samuel Novak I too remember riding speed, and the Star Trek experience. Was never brave enough to tackle the Stratosphere rides, or come to think of it the Big Burrito challenge at the diner next to SPEED. My how vegas has changed over the years, and not always for the better.
Hate to say it, but at this point it’s scrap metal. Besides the corrosive effect sitting in sand in the desert would have, where are the coasters cars, sensors, and control systems stored? You also need serviceable parts. It’s one of only three LIM Shuttle Loop Coasters manufactured by Premier rides. Six Flags has the other two. I think if it was still a viable coaster, a smaller amusement park operator would have tried to snap it up or Six Flags would have bought it for parts.