IE Park/SOLI Bumper Cars will celebrate a major milestone in the company's history in 2013 when it marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the first mid-size bumper car to be introduced to the amusement and attractions industry.

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, 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.

"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 an 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 Hypnos model was updated in 2000 with the introduction of the Hypnos Omega, while further mid-size models have also been added to the range over the years.

In 2003, the Charlie was added, followed in 2005 by the Sport 1 and in 2008 by the Sphera, all of which have proved popular with customers around the world, in particular in the Middle East where many indoor FEC and amusement park venues are to be found.

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 mid-size range of bumper cars to give operators of all types of venue more and more choice."