Freak Out (ride)
| Freak Out | |
|---|---|
 Freak Out at Drouwenerzand Attractiepark in 2026 | |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Frisbee |
| Manufacturer | KMG (company) |
| Model | Freak Out |
| Height | 19.8 m (65 ft) |
| Capacity | 480 riders per hour |
| Passengers per cycle | 16 |
| Gondolas | 4 |
| Transport units | 1 |
| Weight | 28 tonnes |
| Power | 62 kW |
| Website | https://kmgrides.com/en/ride/freak-out/ |
Freak Out is a Frisbee-type pendulum ride model manufactured by the Dutch amusement ride manufacturer KMG. The ride combines a swinging pendulum with a rotating passenger assembly and is a smaller relative of KMG's Afterburner.[1]
The Freak Out accommodates 16 passengers in four gondolas and has a theoretical capacity of 480 passengers per hour. The transportable version is carried on a single trailer and is designed to be assembled by two people in approximately three to four hours.[1]
The model has been produced in relatively large numbers. In 2014, amusement-industry publication CarnivalWarehouse reported that approximately 50 genuine Freak Outs were operating worldwide, including 19 in the United States.[2] In 2019, the 58th example, The Beast, was delivered to Big Rock Amusements.[3]
Design and operation
The Freak Out consists of a pendulum arm carrying a freely rotating passenger assembly. Four gondolas are mounted around the assembly, with four passengers in each gondola, giving the ride a total capacity of 16 passengers per cycle.[1]
According to KMG, the Freak Out uses a similar ride motion to the larger Afterburner. The Freak Out swings from front to back relative to its transport structure, while the Afterburner swings from side to side. The Freak Out also requires less ground space.[1]
During operation, the passenger assembly rotates while the pendulum swings, producing simultaneous swinging and rotational movement.
KMG specifies dimensions of 14.5 by 11.1 by 19.8 metres and a weight of approximately 28 tonnes. The electrical specification is 3×400 V at 100 A, with a power requirement of 62 kW.[1]
Transport and setup
The transportable version is constructed on a single centre-construction trailer. KMG states that a two-person crew can assemble the attraction without a separate crane in approximately three to four hours.[1]
The model is offered in both transportable fairground and permanent amusement park configurations.[1]
Production history
The first Freak Out was completed in 2002 and entered service in the Netherlands as Kick Down under Jarno Otten. It was subsequently sold to British operator William Henry Clark.[4]
Many KMG machine numbers end with a sequential Freak Out production number. Later manufacturer-plate research has identified previously unknown early examples, including number 12 for Miguel Safie of El Salvador, number 15 for Alvaro Garcia of Spain and number 16, which passed through Myers International Midways, Arnold's Amusements and later Wagner's Carnival.[5]
The 50th Freak Out was completed for Windy City Amusements in 2014.[4] The 58th, The Beast, was delivered to Big Rock Amusements in 2019.[3]
Production continued during the 2020s. Jungle Beat, built in 2023 for Torsten Freiwald in Germany, is Freak Out number 65, while Tom Heine's Airpower, also completed in 2023, is number 66.[6][7]
A new unit named The Viper was delivered to Mr. Ed's Magical Midways in 2024 and is documented as the 67th Freak Out.[5]
Two Freak Outs were shipped to the United States in April 2024, one to Mr. Ed's Magical Midways and another to Fiesta Shows. The latter operates as Warrior.[5]
A further Freak Out was completed for an Irish customer in late 2024 and entered service under Brian Magee in 2025. Its production number has not been publicly confirmed.[5]
Installations
The following list combines documented KMG machine numbers, manufacturer-plate records, government amusement-ride permit registers, contemporary industry reports and specialist ride databases.
The status column represents the latest documented status found in those sources. It should not be interpreted as a real-time operational status.
| No. | Current or latest documented name | Current or latest documented operator/location | Country | First operated | Serial number | Last documented status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kick Down | William Henry Clark | United Kingdom | 2002 | KMG-2002-FRB-16-058-01 | Operating |
| 2 | Freak Out | Playworld Amusements, later ownership unknown | United States | 2003 | KMG-2002-FRB-16-059-02 | Status unclear |
| 3 | Freak Out | Warren & Charles James | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2002-FRB-16-060-03 | Operating |
| 4 | Chaos | Mark Thurston Jnr. | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2002-FRB-16-062-04 | Operating |
| 5 | Tornado | Hugo's Tivoli | Norway | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-063-05 | Operating |
| 6 | Oblivion | Scott Manning | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-064-06 | Operating |
| 7 | Freak Out | Mark Benson | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-067-07 | Operating |
| 8 | Freak Out | Crabtree Amusements | United States | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-068-08 | Operating |
| 9 | Freak Out | James Danter | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-069-09 | Operating |
| 10 | Freak Out | John Silcock | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-070-10 | Operating |
| 11 | Freak Out | William Roberts | United Kingdom / Ireland | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-071-11 | Operating |
| 12 | Freak Out | Miguel Safie | El Salvador | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-072-12 | Status unclear |
| 13 | Freak Out | Henry Studt | United Kingdom | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-073-13 | Operating |
| 14 | Freak Out | Rainbow Valley Rides | United States | 2003 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-074-14 | Operating |
| 15 | Freak Out | Alvaro Garcia | Spain | 2004 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-075-15 | Status unclear |
| 16 | Freak Out | Wagner's Carnival | United States | 2004 | KMG-2003-FRB-16-076-16 | Operating |
| 17 | Inferno | Reithoffer Shows Orange | United States | 2004 | KMG-2004-FRB-16-077-17 | Operating[8] |
| 18 | Freak Out | Andreasson / Axel's Nöjesfält | Sweden | 2004 | KMG-2004-FRB-16-078-18 | Operating |
| 19 | X-Factor | Franz Deinert | Germany | 2004 | KMG-2004-FRB-16-079-19 | Operating[9] |
| 20 | Freak Out | Joe White | United Kingdom | 2004 | KMG-2004-FRB-16-080-20 | Operating |
| 21 | X-Flight | John Davis | United Kingdom | 2004 | KMG-2004-FRB-16-087-21 | Operating |
| 22 | Freak Out | Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas | United States | 2005 | KMG-2004-FRB-16-093-22 | Status unclear |
| 23 | Freak Out | Campbell Amusements | Canada | 2005 | KMG-2005-FRB-16-097-23 | Operating |
| 24 | Freak Out | Fiesta Shows | United States | 2005 | KMG-2005-FRB-16-098-24 | Offered for sale after acquisition of Warrior in 2024[5] |
| 25 | Tango | Martin Draper | United Kingdom | 2005 | KMG-2005-FRB-16-099-25 | Operating |
| 26 | Flic Flac | G. Cervera | Spain | 2005 | KMG-2005-FRB-16-105-26 | Operating |
| 27 | Mega Swing | Boursier | France | 2005 | KMG-2005-FRB-16-107-27 | Operating |
| 28 | X-Factory | Delaporte | France | 2006 | KMG-2006-FRB-16-113-28 | Operating |
| 29 | Freak Out | Jay Barwick | United Kingdom | 2006 | KMG-2006-FRB-16-117-29 | Operating |
| 30 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | KMG-200?-FRB-16-1??-30 | Unknown |
| 31 | Tornado 2 | Perrin Print | United Kingdom | 2007 | KMG-2006-FRB-16-122-31 | Operating |
| 32 | Freak Out | Ritchie Wilmots | United Kingdom | 2007 | KMG-2007-FRB-16-123-32 | Operating |
| 33 | Freak Out | Christian Horne | United Kingdom | 2007 | KMG-2007-FRB-16-126-33 | Operating |
| 34 | Freak Out | Wright's Amusements | United States | 2007 | KMG-200?-FRB-16-1??-34 | Operating |
| 35 | Freak Out | DeVey family / Anderton & Rowland | United Kingdom | 2007 | KMG-2007-FRB-16-132-35 | Operating |
| 36 | Freak Out | North American Midway Entertainment | United States | 2008 | KMG-2008-FRB-16-138-36 | Status unclear |
| 37 | Freak Out | Fantasy Amusements | United States | 2008 | KMG-2008-FRB-16-139-37 | Status unclear[5] |
| 38 | Devil Rock | Roger Tuby | United Kingdom | 2008 | KMG-2008-FRB-16-144-38 | Operating |
| 39 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | KMG-200?-FRB-16-1??-39 | Unknown |
| 40 | V.I.P. | Reynald Wetzel | Switzerland | 2011 | KMG-2011-FRB-16-172-40 | Status unclear |
| 41 | Freak Out | Poor Jack Amusements | United States | 2011 | KMG-2011-FRB-16-175-41 | Operating[10] |
| 42 | Freak Out | Treasure Island, Stourport-on-Severn | United Kingdom | 2012 | KMG-2012-FRB-16-183-42 | Operating |
| 43 | Airforce – The Ride | Kurt Meisel | Germany | 2013 | KMG-2013-FRB-16-189-43 | Operating[11] |
| 44 | Freak Out | Frazier Shows | United States | 2013 | KMG-2013-FRB-16-190-44 | Operating[12] |
| 45 | Freak Out | B&B Games and Rides | Australia | 2013 | KMG-2013-FRB-16-195-45 | Operating |
| 46 | Freak Out | Alpine Amusements | United States | 2014 | KMG-2013-FRB-16-200-46 | Operating |
| 47 | Freak Out | Butler Amusements | United States | 2014 | KMG-2013-FRB-16-196-47 | Operating |
| 48 | Freak Out | All Around Amusements | United States | 2014 | KMG-2014-FRB-16-201-48 | Operating |
| 49 | Spring Break | Smith's Leisure / Frankie Smith | United Kingdom | 2014 | KMG-2014-FRB-16-197-49 | Operating |
| 50 | Freak Out | Windy City Amusements | United States | 2014 | KMG-2014-FRB-16-203-50 | Operating |
| 51 | Freak Out | Botton's Pleasure Beach | United Kingdom | 2016 | KMG-2016-FRB-16-220-51 | Operating |
| 52 | Freak Out | Brown's Amusements | United States | 2016 | KMG-2016-FRB-16-22?-52 | Status unclear |
| 53 | Freak Out | Ottaway Amusements | United States | 2016 | KMG-2016-FRB-16-2??-53 | Status unclear |
| 54 | F5 | Powers Great American Midways / Family Kingdom | United States | 2017 | KMG-2017-FRB-16-237-54 | Operating |
| 55 | Freak Out | Evans United Shows | United States | 2017 | KMG-2017-FRB-16-243-55 | Operating[12] |
| 56 | Freak Out | Drouwenerzand Attractiepark | Netherlands | 2018 | KMG-2018-FRB-16-245-56 | Operating |
| 57 | No Limit | Joseph / Clayton Manning | United Kingdom | 2019 | KMG-2019-FRB-16-258-57 | Operating |
| 58 | The Beast | Big Rock Amusements | United States | 2019 | KMG-201?-FRB-16-2??-58 | Operating[3] |
| 59 | No Limit | Pride of Texas Shows | United States | 2020 | KMG-201?-FRB-16-???-59 | Status unclear |
| 63 | The Beast | Campy's Blue Star Amusements | United States | 2022 | KMG-2022-FRB-16-276-63 | Operating[8] |
| 64 | Freak Out | Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment | United States | 2022 | KMG-2022-FRB-16-278-64 | Operating |
| 65 | Jungle Beat | Torsten Freiwald | Germany | 2023 | KMG-2023-FRB-16-303-65 | Operating[6] |
| 66 | Airpower | Tom Heine | Germany | 2023 | KMG-2023-FRB-16-305-66 | Operating[7] |
| 67 | The Viper | Mr. Ed's Magical Midways | United States | 2024 | KMG-202?-FRB-16-3??-67 | Operating[5] |
Unresolved production numbers 60–62
Three Freak Outs were completed around 2020 between the documented numbers 59 and 63. Available public records identify the rides but do not conclusively establish which of the three carries production numbers 60, 61 and 62.[5]
| Name | Operator/location | Country | Year | Serial number | Last documented status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freak Out | Paul Maurer Shows | United States | 2020 | KMG-20??-FRB-16-???-6? | Status unclear |
| SuperNova | Bakken | Denmark | 2020 | KMG-20??-FRB-16-???-6? | Operating[13] |
| The Brute | Cole Shows Amusement Company | United States | 2020 | KMG-20??-FRB-16-???-6? | Operating |
Drouwenerzand Attractiepark
A Freak Out was delivered to Drouwenerzand Attractiepark in the Netherlands in March 2018. The attraction accommodates 16 passengers.
The manufacturer's plate identifies the attraction as KMG-2018-FRB-16-245-56 and lists Drouwenerzand as the first owner. It is dated 28 March 2018 and specifies a maximum operating height of 22 metres, a gondola rotation speed of 20 rpm and a total weight of 26,000 kg.
The 26-tonne figure on the 2018 manufacturer plate differs from KMG's current general specification of 28 tonnes for the Freak Out model.[1]
Other documented installations
Several additional Freak Outs are documented without a conclusively established production number. Some may correspond to unresolved or transferred units in the numbered list.
| Name | Operator/location | Country | First documented | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flic Flac | FAF Atracciones | Spain | Unknown | Operating | A separate Spanish Freak Out from the number 26 Flic Flac is reported in specialist records. |
| Freak Out | California Carnival Company | United States | 2018 | Status unclear | Ordered from KMG for delivery in 2018. |
| Freak Out | Powers Great American Midways | United States | Unknown | Status unclear | Listed separately from the number 54 F5 in some records. |
| Warrior | Fiesta Shows | United States | 2024 | Operating | Second Freak Out delivered to Fiesta Shows. Chassis number XL920P091RL001709; exact Freak Out production number not publicly confirmed.[5] |
| Freak Out | Brian Magee | Ireland | 2025 | Operating | Completed in late 2024 and delivered for the 2025 season; exact production number not publicly confirmed.[5] |
Restraints
The standard Freak Out uses over-the-shoulder restraints. KMG has also supplied an alternative restraint configuration. The unit delivered to B&B Games and Rides in Australia in 2013 was documented as the first Freak Out with the newer restraint system.[4]
Copyright and patent disputes
KMG has taken legal action concerning rides it considered copies of the Freak Out design.
In October 2014, a Dutch court ruled in favour of KMG in a copyright case involving a Czech-manufactured ride. The court found that the Freak Out design was protected and prohibited the disputed copy from operating in the Netherlands.[14]
CarnivalWarehouse reported at the time that KMG held patent protection for the Freak Out in several countries and that approximately 50 genuine Freak Outs were operating worldwide.[2]
KMG later brought an intellectual-property lawsuit in the United States against Big Rock Amusements concerning an Extreme ride that KMG alleged was similar to the Freak Out. The dispute was settled in 2015. Big Rock did not admit liability but agreed to an injunction preventing the importation of additional disputed Extreme rides into the United States and to a patent licensing payment to KMG.[15]
Technical specifications
The following specifications are published by KMG for the current Freak Out model:[1]
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | KMG |
| Model | Freak Out |
| Ride type | Frisbee / pendulum ride |
| Dimensions | 14.5 × 11.1 × 19.8 m |
| Weight | 28 tonnes |
| Electrical power | 62 kW |
| Electrical supply | 3×400 V, 100 A |
| Gondolas | 4 |
| Passengers per gondola | 4 |
| Passengers per cycle | 16 |
| Hourly capacity | 480 passengers |
| Transport units | 1 |
| Setup time | Approximately 3–4 hours |
| Setup crew | 2 people |
| Installation | Permanent or transportable |
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Freak Out". KMG Rides. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 Herrick, Timothy (22 October 2014). "Winning Copyright Lawsuit, KMG Going After Freak Out Knockoffs". CarnivalWarehouse.com. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 Cook, Matt (10 June 2019). "KMG to Debut New Thrill Ride for 2019". CarnivalWarehouse.com. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Freak Out von KMG (NL)". onride.de (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Typenschilder KMG (NL)". onride.de (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Jungle Beat". Ride-Index.de (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Airpower". Ride-Index.de (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Permitted Rides by Owners for 2026" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. 3 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "X-Factor". Ride-Index.de (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Freak Out". Poor Jack Amusements. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Airforce". Ride-Index.de (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Amusement ride stickers". Texas Department of Insurance. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Forlystelser". Bakken (in Danish). Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dutch court rules in favour of KMG". InterPark. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "KMG / Big Rock Amusements settle intellectual property lawsuit". CarnivalWarehouse.com. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2026.