Browntggrr

^ Along with that, I am going to guess that the brakes need to be moved, the blocks need to be moved. And I can only guess that state regulations will make them do a certain amount of cycles before they put their stamp of approval on it.

Quite honestly, just keep a cooler in your car for refreshments. That way, not only is it cheaper, you can also pick your flavor too. I honestly cannot remember the last time my family actually bought a soft drink at a park.

Sorry to say it, SoB with the loop in 2000. That was the only coaster that I have been on that after riding, the wife and I sat at the German Beer garden for a good hour recovering from SAS (shaken adult syndrome).

My personal favorite: By K Newport April 6, 2008 12:55 PM Someone should really mention that from it's opening year to 1981, both trains actually went forward. DDN really should have printed the news release with all the information, not just that Racer will only be going forward. That is rather poor journalism. Especially when you give the news, and then ask the question "Will you miss The Racer running backward?" It's a set-up for negative reactions.

^I am not trying to make you look like a fool. I don't have to do that. But it certainly needs to be expressed that when you make comments like: You have no way of knowing that. Yea I do actully. You have any idea what the insurance was for it just to go backwards? and then it to run both sides? All I can say is they took a short cut that was just dumb. I wont be surprise to see one side down in the mornings or on slow days. It should be known that, in the past, you have made extremely bold statements, that haven't even come close to being true. Now you are proclaiming to know the cost of an insurance policy for certain rides? You are not claiming an opinion, but stating a fact. But with no type of proof. Hey, if you hate that fact that Racer is no longer going backwards, that's your opinion. But like you said: If your information was bad back then, how could it have improved now?

So the comments of "trust me =)", "I put it in clear english", "Wait 3 weeks and be ready to have a heart attack when you do see what we're geting" were just made-up tales? Who woulda thunk it? But since a time frame was mentioned, lets's take a look at some of the recent "greatest hits": Was it the dip-dots guy? or was it the picture takers?

No, I don't think there is anything that you need to clear up. What you know, and your knowledge of things, is quite clear.

And you know what the insurance price tag was for the park? Just like you knew this: and this: and when it comes down to what you know about where the park's money is spent, it is well defined here:

^ Wow. You actually think that there was a choice in the removal of SoB's loop? They could have actually just torn the whole thing down and still been justified in doing so. But, ironically enough against your arguement, CF spent the money needed to keep the coaster operating the best it could. Instead of reading your pointless whining (sorry, ranting), may I suggest starting a group to boycott KI. Because at this point, you have no facts, you have no valid points, and will obviously just try and twist everything the park has done into something terrible.

So they are really not wasting money to begin with, yet they are investing money for the future? So that is what you are claiming CF is doing? So, since you have counted, exactly how many times have they raced over the last 26 years? If you actually believe that the backwards racer has taken the "uniqueness" away from KI, you need to expand your horizons. There are many other things at KI that make it unique. It is rather funny how you mention The Bat. The Bat was opened in 1981, and it operated in 1981 (probably more in '81 than any other year). And in 1982 the park still added a $2.1 million expansion and renovation of Hanna-Barbera Land. TimberWolf Theatre opens its gates. Winterfest debuts. In Oktoberfest a Ferris Wheel and Viking Fury open. Enchanted Voyage is reworked as The Smurfs Enchanted Voyage. But to "give back to the public" one train on Racer was turned around? Yeah, ok. And you know this how? Have you experienced Racer with both trains going forward? Everyone knows that you cannot judge the popularity of a ride by the length of the line. There are too many factors that contribute to the length of a line. As of right now, we should take the park for it's word. They wanted to bring Racer back to the way it's supposed to be. Once the park is open and in full swing of the summer season, and only one side of Racer is operating, then you can whine all you want.

So when Racer was first designed and installed in 1972 the intentions were to save money? Because as of right now there are no indications that Racer will be operating any different now then it did then. Forward 1972 to 1981. Forward again in 2008. What differences are there? I would really like to know how you have come up with that idea. Perhaps CF turned the backward train forward so that it would actually race again. BTW- I think that the "wasting money to save money" is a rather intelligent quote. Be sure to tell everyone that you came up with the whole idea.

PFFF I think not! They didn't just turn the train around for "fair raceing" or "old style". They did it for maintenance cost and insurance, its all about the money. I say on slow days you will only see one side running. I stand behind my words 100%. First of all, there have been zero indications that Racer will not race more often than not. Second, why waste the park's money on unnecessary staffing when they can use that money somewhere else? Sure, on slow days, or early in the day, there is an excellent chance that Racer will not be racing. But please name me the park that always has both sides of a racing coasters always racing. Even at IoA, both sides of Dueling Dragons are not operating on slow days. The same goes for Gwazi at BGA.

I could care less about the ride names. I pay to enjoy the park, and the rides they provide. How the ride is named will not change how much I enjoy the park or the ride itself.

Those "kitty cats" don't necessarily purr and meow. 3 guys in San Francisco tried to hug and pet a "kitty cat" like one of those in the pics. The result was not exactly what they expected.

Ruin a perfectly good ride? While I may not completely agree with removing the choice of going forward ot backward, I would never say that the ride was ruined. Racer was never designed to have one train go backwards. And from 1972 to 1981 it actually ran with both trains going forward. Changing one of the trains was nothing more than a gimmick. Sure it worked for 26 years, but there are many people, including yourself, that have never experienced Racer actually racing the way it was intended to be. Nothing was ruined. Not even close.

http://www.meadvilletribune.com/breakingne..._095170350.html

I do not believe that this video has been posted yet (at least I couldn't find it using "search"). It has some great video of Screamin' Demon, Racers, The Beast and a great focus on The Bat.

Exactly what should they have said then? You first mention that there would be no reason that the park should even have a press release about the 2008 status for Racer. Now when they do, it is considered overhype? Just because they mention that it will be running better than ever? The park is not even open yet for 2008, but there is no way possible that the ride actually may be running better? And you know this how? SoB ran better last year than it ever has. Sure, the ride is still terrible, but it is still better. Why can't the same result happen now?

You were surprised? Really? I would have never guessed....

I really wouldn't call it weird, just different. Just like I have never been a real big fan of Magnum. I really can't say why, I am just not crazy about it like some people are. Now I am crazy for MF, Beast, and Apollo's Chariot at BGE. Ironically enough, may people don't care for them at all. As far as the logos for Racer, it would be great to see the old logo on them. If CF did not make the decison to actually put the old style back on, I would be disappointed only because of the press release. If they want to go back to the way Racer used to be, do it the right way and go all out. Don't give a half-a$$ed effort.

^ Really? MS over Gemini? Is there a specific reason that you feel that way, or is it just one of those *things*?

Sure Gemini may not always race early in the day, but there is no reason to. When the crowds do pick-up both sides do operate. Most of the time they have to block off the middle part of the train operating and add the sandbags so the train keeps moving through the last turn around on the East end. If they don't do that the train will stop. If they have to block off parts of a train, what sense does it make to have two trains operating?

Saddest day of your life? Becuase a ride has changed back to it's original status? Kinda funny how your signature has: The whole backward gimmick has lasted 26 years. It is time for a change. Remember, there is no reason (at least they haven't given one) that it cannot be switched back in the future. This is a good decision, as long as Racer actually races most of the time.

The quality of a coaster can be debated for an infinite amount of time. I.E.- I really enjoy Apollo's Chariot at BGE, while some do not. It's no big deal, just a difference of opinions. But what strikes me about the comments Mr. Thomas made, he makes it sound that SFMM not only has better quality coasters, but fails to understand that a quality coaster has to actually operate to be enjoyed. SFMM has had a very difficult time keeping their coasters running consistantly. They may have turned the corner on X by adding the new trains, but that has not been proven yet. And Colossus (a racing coaster) never races anymore.

Someone needs to ask Mr. Thomas if CP used the title: "Operating roller coaster capital of the world”, if he would object. He obviously made this quote thinking enthusiasts don't know how to read.