UPDATE – 3/30/10 Intimidator’s open! Watch an official POV video and read some reviews here: Carowinds’ Intimidator Reviews & POV Video
It’s official, Intimidator will dominate Carowinds skyline in 2010. At 232′ (23 stories), this massive new coaster will be the longest, tallest, and fastest in the South East. It’s also Bolliger & Mabillard’s tallest roller coaster in the U.S. Intimidator will speed its black Chevy Monte Carlo themed trains in excess of 75 mph.
Record Breaking, History Making – 232 Feet Tall – $23 Million
As I predicted, the record is a regional one, but it’s still notable. 
As the tallest roller coaster in the South East Intimidator will edge competing Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath height by more than 30 feet. The history refers to the fact that the roller coaster will be the park’s largest capital investment in its 37 year history at a total investment of $23 million.
The NASCAR-Earnhardt Theme
All signs pointed to the new roller coaster being named Intimidator. There were the racing theme hints, the Sporting News article stating a rollercoaster with Earnhardt marks will be built at Carowinds, and the day before, the ride’s minisite was discovered at: www.intimidator.carowinds.com. Tieing the new roller coaster to NASCAR was a really smart move for the park. Anyone who knows the area knows that this IS NASCAR country. It will bring a lot of attention to the park escpecially with the NASCAR Hall of Fame opening in Charlotte next year.
Early reactions point at its similarity to Diamondback at Kings Island. It will be 
a Bolliger & Mabillard with red track and gray supports. I can already say that it’s going to offer a smooth comfortable ride and have a high ride capacity that should produce fairly quick moving line. These two factors are hallmarks of B&M’s roller coasters.
I will update this post on Thursday with more of my thoughts on the ride’s layout. I’ve uploaded pictures from the media event as well as 6 more shots of the new coaster on my Facebook Page. Check out this fly-over off-ride video of the Intimidator at Carowinds:
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Carowinds’ Intimidator? Leave a comment below.
August 26, 2009 at 09:48
Basically Diamondback or that one at Canada's Wonderland, name escapes me. Meh.
August 26, 2009 at 13:03
looks better than its big bro at kings dominion
August 26, 2009 at 13:15
You mean that cannot get original and call Kings Dominion's and Carowinds DIFFERENT FREAKIN NAMES? how lame is that?
August 26, 2009 at 13:48
This ride is gonna be sweet!!! I hope it has A LOT of airtime.
August 26, 2009 at 15:38
I knew that they were going to do this. The first time the B&M tracks showed up at KD, then they were gone. Cedar Fair had made a mistake by shipping the wrong coaster. B&M coasters are great, there will be lots of airtime, comfortable seating and the ride is as smooth as butta. Intamin is good too, they give you height and speed, but the seating can be somewhat constricting.
August 26, 2009 at 17:14
Well, I am glad that atleast some good coasters are FINALLY being built south of the Mason Dixon Line. It's about time they put $25 Million into coasters! Plus it helps to boost the economy LOL LOL
August 26, 2009 at 19:48
I couldn't be more thrilled. In addition to the height/speed/etc. there are some unique elements. I think it's actually the tallest B&M in North America (gotta include Canada). And regarding the airtime- I find myself almost floating up out of my chair watching the hill crests on the POV video. Woo hoo!
August 26, 2009 at 20:04
Looks like it has nice airtime and a few more twists and turns than other B&M hypers. Looks like a good ride… Better than the proposed Intamin coaster at KD.
August 26, 2009 at 21:04
Yep. I'm pretty excited for next spring. The airtime should be plentiful. I'm especially looking forward to the staggered-stadium seating. I'll update the post soon with more thoughts, but for now I've uploaded more images of the coaster and shots from the media event on my Facebook page.
January 23, 2010 at 09:34
About the seating – no seat belts. Reminds me of Apollo's Chariot. And with the airtime hills and that panoramic U-Turn, this ride looks like a winner.
January 23, 2010 at 09:38
About the seating – no seat belts. It reminds me of Apollo's Chariot. Makes me kind of uncomfortable about riding it though, because I'm a bit of a chicken when riding high roller coasters with very few restraints. Bawk!
August 27, 2009 at 03:21
This ride looks like it will be better than diamondback.
August 29, 2009 at 07:25
Its about time that Carowins gets something like this. I just can't believe Carowinds as of right now has B&M tallest coaster…wow thats a step up for Carowinds. Intimidation from the Intimidator….look out Six Flags!!!!
August 29, 2009 at 09:35
Why is everyone getting so exited imean i know its going to be good but its basicaly the same thing as nitro exept its helix is different every thing is on the the over bank goes to the right instead of the left and its 2 feet taller
August 29, 2009 at 12:09
We're just excited because this is going to be the greatest ride the parks gotten and to many people (like me) this is our home park.
August 29, 2009 at 12:46
If this ride as anywhere near as good as Diamondback was, it's a winner. Diamondback was an airtime machine start to finish. The capacity should be great, Diamondback's line hardly stopped moving. I think this could get me to Carowinds over Spring Break.
August 29, 2009 at 13:14
Well said "Schwarz", It may not be amazing to some but for us(carolinans)who call it our home park, this is a huge and unbelievable step for Carowinds!
August 29, 2009 at 19:53
Actually QB3, while Intimidator is similar to all B&M hypers (they do after all follow a kind of 'formula'), it has some unique features that are not really seen on the others. We won't know until it opens of course, and time will have to tell, but I suspect Intimdator is going to put Carowinds on the map as a true "destination park" for coaster enthusiasts. This also puts Carowinds "up there" as far as the number of coasters in the park. I think it's safe to say that it's not just those of us who claim Carowinds as our home park that are excited about this baby.
August 30, 2009 at 05:10
Good point about that, i forgot that for some people it was only 5 minutes away. also i live only four hours away from SFGA and a LOT more from carriwonds. by the way, what rides are theyre and how good are they. (i havent found theyre website yet)
February 15, 2010 at 06:06
they have 50 rides, which is good for such a small park. However, most of the rides are average, although a few coasters really stick out in my mind(e.g. Afterburn, Nighthawk, Carolina Cobra, and Carolina Cyclone).
August 30, 2009 at 06:20
there website is carowinds.com
September 1, 2009 at 07:39
Yeah this Intimadator is nothing like Kings Dominion's. Its so much better and also it is The Diamond Back at KI.
September 1, 2009 at 09:10
The first piece of track for I232 is being installed today!