IE Park in Italy is celebrating a major milestone in the company's history in 2013, with the 20th anniversary of the launch of the first mid-size bumper car to be introduced to the amusement and attractions industry.

The company is renowned for its SOLI Bumper Cars and produces a range of vehicles suitable for all age groups. The first SOLI bumper car was built in 1929 and today, more than 100,000 SOLI cars have been sold to customers around the world.

Having developed a significant range of vehicles over the years, in 1993 the company designed a mid-size car to fill a gap it had seen in the market and to provide operators with yet more choice.

The Hypnos bumper car was the first model in the mid- size range to be designed by IE Park/SOLi Bumper Cars and made its debut in 1993 at the Park Show exhibition in Rimini, bringing yet another proposition to operators looking for new options in the marketplace.

But crucially too, it was the ideal bumper car vehicle size for the FEC market, which at that time was still in its infancy as a key sector of the amusement industry. In fact, the idea for a mid-size bumper car originally came to light during a conversation between IE Park founder Corrado Munari and Mr Tosi-Brandi who operated a small FEC in Rimini.

"The background to the introduction of the Hypnos mid- size vehicle was also safety related," explained IE Park/SOLI Bumper Cars sales director, Andrea Munari. "We recognised that there was a requirement for a vehicle aimed at older children who were too big for the junior cars but not big enough to go in adult cars on their own.

"It also provided operators with a vehicle that wasn't an adult model, that parents could ride in with their children, or that two children could ride together."

Having had the vision to introduce what has become a very important range in the marketplace, IE Park/SOLI Bumper Cars received a particularly positive reaction to the product from the FEC sector, as well as from theme and amusement parks, as it provided an ideal alternative to both junior and adult vehicles.

It also allowed operators to utilise a larger number of vehicles in the same area/track as a set of adult cars, a factor that helped the company gain much market share. Additionally, it provided yet another option, with the chance to operate a mixture of both junior and mid-size cars on the same track at the same time.

The original, revolutionary Hypnos model was updated in 2000 with the introduction of the Hypnos Omega. This incorporates a galvanised steel chassis painted with epoxy powders, along with a reinforced fibreglass body, a mid-size tyre, shoulder restraints and teeth protectors. The colour choice is at the request of the customer and the original design still stands the test of time today with operators.

However, other mid-size models have also been added to the range over the years, which now complement the Hypnos and provide further choice for customers. In 2003, the Charlie was added, followed in 2005 by the Sport 1 with a racing car theme and in 2008 by the Sphera, all of which have proved popular around the world, in particular in the Middle East where many indoor FEC and amusement park venues are to be found.

The most recent addition to the range, the Sphera, has a futuristic design inspired by ultra-modern forms and larger seats compared to the other mid-size vehicles. LED lights are also an option and the sturdy steel chassis has electro- galvanising treatment and epoxy oven painting to ensure long life even in difficult environmental conditions. A steel wire earth contact brush with sliding contact in metal carbon ensures an improved electrical contact.

Additionally, the Sphera features front side stabilisers in reinforced nylon projected towards the outer perimeter of the chassis for better stability in case of side bumps, while a permanent magnet motor is sturdy, powerful, reliable and easy to service.

The rear lights on the Sphera are incorporated into four metacrilate, shockproof protective glasses, while the front lights are completely integrated and protected by clear shock-proof glass covers. Integrated, three-point, double inertia seat belts are also utilised, as are sturdy, polyurethane seats which are easy to clean. Various projects in Europe and the Middle East have chosen the Sphera.

Each model in the mid-size range is available in a variety of colours and decorative themes, as well as with various optional extras, while a choice of floor pick up or overhead power supply is also offered.

"We have been very happy with the success of the mid-size range over the last 20 years," commented Munari, "and I am sure we will enjoy similar success over the next 20 years as we continue to develop the range to give operators of all types of venue more and more choice.

"At the time, back in 1993, it was a bold step to make but we were convinced there was a stong market for this 'intermediate' size of vehicle and have without doubt been proved right. Our full range of bumper cars provides operators with an extensive choice and we are pleased to note that the Hypnos, Charlie, Sport 1 and Sphera have all found their place in the market and have each been well received from the outset."

The popularity and success of the SOLI Bumper Car range in the FEC sector is reflected in the fact that in the past three years, IAAPA Brass Ring Awards for the Top FECs in the World have been received by venues which operate SOLI-built bumper cars. These are Happylon, Moscow, Russia (in 2010), Infunity, Freeze Club and Bowl Room, Hawalli, Kuwait (2011) and Skemmtigardurinn, Reykjavik, Iceland (2012).