Exceptionally well said Zamperla.. You appear to have great knowledge of this machine.
Your comment about how smooth the transition is between station and lifthill is spot on. When i rode the ride it was a perfect transition between the two. Such a simple design, yet so effective.
dr_teeth - Do look harder next time, Zamperla is yet again, spot on about the roll backs.
Speculation and assumption will only lead you to the wrong path.. Try having a talk to some of the operators next time you are there.. They were more then willing to explain some of the finer points to me and extremely friendly to approach.