Help! Coaster photo in dark?

[Disneypics]

I really want a shot of the giant audioanimatronic Yeti on the new Disney World roller coaster, Expedition Everest.

It's very dark inside the "mountain" -- and the coaster must be going 30 mph or more when it passes by the giant Yeti. A really good photograph is probably impossible. But I would be happy with a somewhat-out-of-focus shot.

If I used a point-and-shoot, would my best bet be pan focus?

With my Rebel XT, should I try infinity? Will it even shoot in that setting without a focus lock? Maybe manual is the only option? How fast would I want the shutter to be?

Thanks for any advice!

Margaret

[tweatherred]

How far away is the Yeti? A sufficiently powerful flash will suffice for both light and stopping motion, although you might have to settle for the harsh lighting.

[Disneypics]

The Yeti (which is about 20 feet tall) is about 20 feet away from the track -- except for its giant arm, which swipes at the train as it passes -- much too fast for a focus lock.

What is the best way to operate without an autofocus lock? Infinity or manual?