78.4 was the speed before Son of Beast had the July 9, 2006 incident.

On July 4, 2007; the opening day for Son of Beast this year, the ride ops were spieling that it does 72 AND at the same time saying it was the tallest, fastest wooden coaster in the world. Yes, something IS inconsistent there...

Since the new trains are MUCH lighter than the old (which is why they were installed) , AND hold six fewer people (and thus less weight) than the five old car configuration last year, I see no way it can still be doing 78.4.

I was thinking the exact same thing; less weight - less speed. If it does only go 72, it's no longer the fastest with Colossos in Germany going 74.6, as you implied.

I also question whether it was doing 78.4 with the five car Premier trains that ran last year. Isn't that the figure that was used when it was running six car trains originally?

Yes that is the speed they have been claiming since 2000. Anyone have a radar gun?