This invention relates to an amusement ride installation, comprising at least one passenger carrier (2), an amusement ride guide structure (3) and a launch system (1) adapted to accelerate the at least one passenger carrier from a starting position. The launch system comprises a launch guide structure having a curvature (c), a launch arm (4) rotatable about a rotation axis (6), engagement means (7) for providing a temporary connection between the launch arm and the at least one passenger carrier during the launch, and launch drive means providing the launch arm with an angular velocity. In the launch system according to the invention the radial distance between the engagement means and the launch arm support (5) is variable such that portions of the launch guide structure have a deviating radius, or the distance in axial direction between the engagement means and the launch arm support is variable such that portions of the launch guide structure have curvatures perpendicular to the surface of rotation, such as slopes or banking.