I've heard that The Racer was turned backwards in 1981, so it would probably be because The Bat was closed often.
But I don't know. I'm not old enough.
Oh, okay. I knew it was turned backwards because of problems with The Bat, and I just assumed it was because The Bat was demolished.
Bat was added in 1981. Racer was turned Backward in 1982. Bat was removed in 1984.
I've never before heard any link between The Bat and turning The Racer Backwards. It may still be true, but I've never heard any linkage before this.
I always thought KI was being progressive. (The Beast, The Bat, turning The Racer backward on one side, having the first stand-up coaster with a loop, etc.) I always thought they were just stating "Yea, we're ahead of other parks, we're being cool it's the 80's!" (Just my thoughts, I can't promise that they are not strange or sane) Haha. No, but I had never heard of the relationship to The Racer going backward to sidetrack people from The Bat's immense problems until I read that on here last year. It's interesting.