17 truck-mounted cranes, 12 monks, 3 million euros and a roller coaster in the wrong spot -- Holiday Park Director Wolfgang Schneider: "Shifting the coaster is necessary according to the teachings of Feng Shui"
Hassloch/Germany, March 31, 2005. For many weeks now, it has been the most closely guarded secret at Holiday Park, an amusement park in the South of Germany. The park's megacoaster "Expedition GeForce", voted by coaster fans best coaster in the world three times in a row, will be shifted exactly 12 meters in a northeasterly direction. Holiday Park director Wolfgang Schneider spent his Christmas vacation at a Shaolin monastery in Central China. There he received a lasting impression of the teachings of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui teaches a life of harmonious surroundings, activating the energy form "Chi" that influences living spaces, work places as well as sport stadiums and shopping malls.
Schneider: "The monks made it very clear to me, that I had made a mistake, when Expedition GeForce was built four years ago. The coaster is too close to the park's southern border – it should be closer to the center. I gave the Feng Shui teachings a great deal of thought and decided to invite a delegation from China to Holiday Park.
Here, at the park, the monks told me that a shift of only 12 meters would be sufficient for ‘Expedition GeForce'. Then, the coaster would operate according to the principles of Feng Shui. It is important, the monks said, that ‘GeForce' is surrounded by pathways. It would then generate positive energy, especially for the visitors."
After months of logistic preparations, the actual shifting of the coaster will begin this Friday evening, April 1, under the supervision of Shaolin monks from Central China. Holiday Park spokesperson Rudi Mallasch: "We don't want to leave anything to chance with a project of this magnitude and that is why the monks are here."
Responsible for the technical execution of the mammoth project is Breuer & Wasel, Europe's biggest company for heavy-duty lifting jobs. Breuer & Wasel owns more than 450 truck-mounted cranes and is specialized in erecting wind energy power stations.
Shifting a roller coaster from one spot to another is a first for Breuer & Wasel. 17 cranes will simultaneously lift the megacoaster "Expedition GeForce" from its existing foundation and move it to its new location. This is a world premiere.
Breuer & Wasel's CEO, Matthias Wasel: "Holiday Park director Schneider wanted the job done before the park's season began. But, the winter was too long and we had to wait for better weather."
The 17 crane operators have practiced the difficult task for several weeks, using a miniature model of the park's megacoaster. Wasel: "Now, I am certain that my crew can do the job." For the project at Holiday Park Wasel will use a brand-new mega crane that can lift up to 750 tons. "It will be the key crane, supported by 16 smaller ones," says Wasel.
Neither Wasel nor Schneider are concerned about the operation, even though Europe's biggest insurance company, the Allianz Group, refused to cover the project. "This is too risky for us," said Allianz spokesperson Wolfgang Heilmann in Munich, "the tiniest mistake could cause an accident".
Park director Schneider appears completely calm, despite feeling stressed: "I am a pragmatist, I trust the experts, and the monks trust their god."
Only 14 days are needed to shift the coaster into its new position. The engineers target April 15 to finish the job and return "Expedition GeForce" to the public. A gigantic banner, depicting the Chinese letters for Feng Shui, will hang from the coaster's lift hill. Visitors to Holiday Park (the park will not close during the coaster's repositioning) will be able to witness this gigantic project: A 500-seat grandstand has been built to offer spectators a view of the coaster.
Reinhold Heinzinger, Head of the Technical Inspection Authority Munich and responsible for checking roller coasters in Germany, is in charge of supervising the project. "Personally, I think it is a bit crazy to shift a coaster because of a few monks – but I am optimistic that Holiday Park will succeed," Heinzinger said.
The megacoaster's designer Werner Stengel commented: "I do not know the teachings of Feng Shui. But, I do know Park director Wolfgang Schneider, and he will not spend three million euros for nothing. He knows what he is doing."
Once the "Expedition GeForce" is in its new position, it will be re-opened on Saturday, April 16 at noon. On this occasion 12 monks from Central China will come to Holiday Park in Hassloch, in the South of Germany, to conduct the first ride on the coaster in its new location. No longer will the coaster be called "Expedition GeForce", it will be the "Yin Yang".