Updated 22 December 2001, 17.17

Imagine travelling at 170km/h (107mph) and suddenly dropping almost straight down 52 metres (170 feet).

Well, 16 brave (or crazy!) coaster fans did just that as the Dodonpa shot off on its first journey.

Those who rode it said it felt like being fired from a rocket.

Passengers feel a force of about 4Gs - G-Force is a way of measuring how much gravity pulls on an object.

You would normally have to fly a jet fighter to feel 4Gs!

			Fact File
	Dodonpa facts
		Ride lasts one minute
		It accelerates to its top speed in just 1.8 seconds
		Height: 52 metres
		Speed: 171km/h

One fan said the sensation of speed was amazing:

"I could not open my eyes and I had to hold my breath," she said.

"You hear 'Three, two, one , Don... don... pa!' before blasting off."

But its might was no match for nature and when it started snowing, the ride came to an end.