International award for theme park designer

Themed attraction designer Katapult is celebrating after winning an international award for excellence.

The Derby firm was recognised at the Theme Park Excellence Awards, alongside project partners Simworx, for its work on a ride concept called ‘Overdrive’.

Drawing inspiration from popular driving franchises Need for Speed, Grand Theft Auto and Fast and Furious, Overdrive provides a roleplaying experience where guests have the option to be the police chase or getaway car.

Once boarded, guests are briefed on their mission before they are navigated through underground tunnels and construction sites in a breakneck race down the city’s main highway.

It can accommodate up to 1,100 riders per hour, using 10 different ride vehicles.

The excitement of the ride builds across 10 unique scenes, with two possible ending scenes.

Held as part of the IAAPA Europe Expo, which recently took place in Vienna, the Theme Park Excellence Awards celebrate the best-in-class entertainment destinations, projects, products and people.

Phil Higgins, co-founder and chief executive at Katapult, was at the awards ceremony to collect the award alongside the Simworx team.

In a statement, Simworx said: “We are thrilled to be recognised in the Best Marketing Initiative category for our Overdrive campaign.

“A shout out to our partner’s in the collaboration, Katapult. We are over the moon that all of our hard work to increase the awareness of this new attraction has paid off!”