Desert Duel: World's First Racing Water Coasters

Arizona's popular Waterworld Safari water park has new owners and a new name: Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix. And folks who want to beat the desert heat will find an intriguing new attraction this season as well. The park is calling Maximum Velocity the world's first dueling water coaster. Featuring two side-by-side tracks, riders in the attraction's rafts will "race" against one another (although they will have no way to influence the outcome). Presumably, ride operators will launch the two rafts at the same time. Like other Master Blaster coasters, the ride will use uphill water blasts to propel the rafts. Maximum Velocity is not the first multi-track water coaster. The Crush 'n' Gusher at Walt Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon incorporates three separate slides. However, they are not side-by-side, and do not offer a racing component.

• Water Parks Slide Guide 2009- Discover what's new at water parks this season.