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.
November 19, 2009 at 14:08
You're right JaMeS. It does have the same kind of stadium seating as Diamondback. Quil, check out Carowinds' Intimidator web page and you'll be able to see the detailed picture of the cars somewhere on there.
December 16, 2009 at 17:55
Anyone know why, in December 2009 there are a ton of pic of the new coaster at Kings Dominion, but absolutely no construction shots/pics of Carowinds' new coaster? Kings Dominion has a ton. But I can't find any on Carowinds website. Just curious. It's sad that we can't follow it's construction like Kings Dominion's.
December 16, 2009 at 18:13
Rollercoaster Dude, there are plenty Intimidator construction photos on Carowinds' minisite: http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/ga…
December 17, 2009 at 03:46
the trains are going to be like the diamondback trains
December 17, 2009 at 04:08
well that`s going to ruin the capacity.
December 17, 2009 at 12:37
that was probably for the Christmas lights..
December 17, 2009 at 15:09
Quil, it won't harm the capacity at all. In fact it hold's the same amount of people per train as Goliath at six flags over Georgia. So it will actually have the same capacity as most b&m hypers.
December 17, 2009 at 16:47
Okay, thanks Coastercritic. I was looking at their home website, like Kings Dominions, and didn't know how to get to that one. I'll check it out! Merry Christmas.
December 18, 2009 at 09:51
And a Happy New Year!
December 18, 2009 at 13:50
Happy Hannuka&Kawanza! …are there any more December/January holidays, i`m fresh out.
December 18, 2009 at 15:07
dont no if u said it, but christmas
and, it kind of will ruin capacity even there are all the same seats, cause its only 2 per row
December 19, 2009 at 04:21
CC, which do you think are better, B&M Megas, or Intamin Megas.
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December 19, 2009 at 04:22
darn it! when i typed it it actualy looked like a sign.
December 19, 2009 at 05:54
JaMeS it has the same number of seats as other b&m's so it won't affect capacity.
December 19, 2009 at 08:02
i just meant it like 4 single riders, cause there anren't many oppertunities to fill in 2 row seats
December 19, 2009 at 10:10
Oh ok. Oh by the way does anyone know if a single rider line has been announced for intimidator? I know they announced it for 305 already.
December 20, 2009 at 03:24
JaMeS, you said you only waited in a short line for HRRR, and dosen`t that have 2 seet rows?
December 20, 2009 at 03:40
sorry about the double comment, but this just occured to me. by the look of the video, and the pics of the trains on the website, it looked as if the "flying chairs" associated whith most B&M hypers wouldn`t be there. please prove me wrong!
January 14, 2010 at 13:31
When I305 and I232 come out, you BETTER have reviews for them FAST. I can't use my Carowinds pass until June(!), and my uncle's claim to let me be first on I305 was a big lie! PLEASE get a review up ASAP(Carowinds opens in March, right?)!
January 23, 2010 at 10:18
I dont know a bout tcc getting a review up, but I'm going opening day and I will post a review on the fourm and hopfully i will capture a video onride with my camera. Sorry bout I305. Were you lieing or was your uncle?
January 23, 2010 at 12:12
I DO NOT recommend taking your camera on the ride. If you drop it, it could hit someone and you could ejected from the park or worse. There will surely be professional on-ride videos up soon after it opens.
The ride should open on opening day which is Saturday, March 27th. I doubt I'll be able to ride it for a while as we'll be welcoming our second baby into the World at about the same time. I'll be sure to highlight the coverage from other sites and early reviews like I did with Diamondback until I can ride it.
January 23, 2010 at 14:04
Congratulations on the new kid, CC! I perfectly understand how you'll be unable to go. Hope he's as much of a fan of roller coasters as you are.
January 23, 2010 at 14:06
My uncle was lying, he is part of I305's building crew, and said he got me a ride on I305's maiden run on the front seat, but he was lying.
January 23, 2010 at 14:27
man that stinks! Well maybe you get to ride it later! I think i might go sometime in June.
January 23, 2010 at 12:13
I took some construction photos the other day and I should have a post up with some pictures soon. It looks great!