Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, US, has announced plans to open Lightning Rod, the world's fastest wooden coaster and the world's first launching wooden coaster, in March 2016.

The new, $22m ride will be themed after a 1950s-era hot rod car, launching riders from zero to 45mph more than 20 storeys up its lift hill.

At first crest, riders face twin summit airtime hills before tackling the daring first drop. Lightning Rod will then race down a 165ft drop and propel guests along its 3,800ft track to a top speed of 73mph – the fastest speed for a wood coaster in the world.