raptor Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Would you be upset if they turn the backwards racer around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tj Slade Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 It would be a little pointless to turn backwards Racer around, as both tracks would then have the same ride experience. Turning one train backwards was a wise move by KI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 The poll options are a bit odd. If they turn recaR around, of course it will not be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I noticed that the recaR was the First coaster in the world that allows passengers to travel backwards, so I would HATE Kings Island to lose that. So yes, it will never be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Uh, make that the first WOODEN coaster to allow passengers to travel backwards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerNut Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Stupid question, what about the Switchback Railway coasters in the 1880s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 It isn't stupid at all....and of course they went backwards....just as Son of Beast was the first MODERN wooden looping coaster and the only one on the planet at the time. . .so technically recaR was not even the first wooden coaster to travel backwards... See particularly: http://www.rcdb.com/id3742.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Okay, wow...it wasn't even the first modern wooden coaster to go backwards! I didn't know this one. Thanks, RollerNut! http://www.rcdb.com/id4095.htm 1972! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplehaze Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Taken from answers.com History The origins of the roller coaster probably date back to Russia in the 1400s, where ice sledding was a popular winter activity. It became so popular that people in relatively flat areas constructed their own hills out of snow and ice. The tops of these artificial hills were reached by way of elevated wood towers with stairways from the ground. For a small charge, people could climb the stairway and take a quick, exciting ride down the hill on a sled. By the 1700s, many owners of ice hills found a way to extend the profit potential of the ride beyond the winter months. They mounted wheels under small sleds and replaced the ice hills with ones constructed of wood. Brightly colored lanterns were hung along the slope to allow night operation. Visitors from France saw these rides, which they called the Russian Mountains, and took the idea back with them. The first wheeled coaster opened in Paris in 1804, and the coaster craze quickly spread throughout France. As the popularity of the rides grew, operators vied for the public's patronage by building faster and more exciting coasters. Unfortunately, safety devices did not keep pace with the speed, and accidents were common. By the mid-1800s, the increasing number of injuries and a general loss of public interest took their toll. One-by-one the Russian Mountain coasters were dismantled. The development of the roller coaster might have stopped there had it not been for a defunct coal-hauling railroad in the United States. The Mauch Chunk inclined railroad was built in Pennsylvania in the early 1800s to haul coal from a mine atop a mountain to barges in a canal below. Mules hauled the empty cars up the hill, and gravity brought the loaded cars, along with the mules, back down. In 1874 mining operations changed, and the railroad began hauling sightseers instead of coal. The one-and-a-half hour round trip cost one dollar and was an immediate success. The railroad continued to carry passengers until it closed in 1938. The success of the Mauch Chunk inclined railroad as a tourist attraction provided the inspiration for several similar amusement park rides on a smaller scale. In the United States, LaMarcus Thompson built his Gravity Pleasure Switchback Railway ride at the beach on Coney Island, New York, in 1884. For a nickel, riders rode cars that coasted from one elevated station to another over a series of gentle hills supported on a wooden trestle. At the opposite end, the cars were switched onto a parallel track for the return trip. The second roller coaster on Coney Island was built in late 1884 when Charles AlCoke opened his Serpentine Railway. AlCoke's coaster was the first to use an oval-track design. Riders sat sideways on open benches as they were whisked along at what was then considered to be a break-neck speed of 12 mph (19 kph). A third coaster was built on Coney Island in 1885 by Phillip Hinkle. Hinkle's coaster incorporated a chain lift to carry the cars up the first hill, thus allowing the passengers to board at ground level and saving them a climb. Roller coaster development hit its peak in the 1920s when there were more than 1,500 wooden coasters in operation in the United States. The economic hardships of the 1930s and the wartime material shortages of the 1940s put an end to that era. Amusement parks closed by the hundreds, and their wooden roller coasters either fell into disrepair or were tom down. It wasn't until Walt Disney opened the Matterhom Bobsled ride at Disneyland in 1959 that the era of modern steel roller coaster design began. Ironically, it took the construction of a new wooden coaster—the massive Racer at Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1972—before the coaster craze really caught on again. By the late 1990s it was estimated there were over 200 major roller coasters in operation in the United States, with more being added every year. In May of 2000, the Millenium Force opened at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. At 310 ft (94 m) tall and going 92 mph (148 kmp), it is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I think it will be better because I don't much care for backwards. If both Racers go forwards, I'll be able to get on either line - whichever is shorter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersNSich Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I have a preference, out of nostalgia's sake, to make The Racer all-forward again. The backwards orientation begun in 1982 may be a neat gimmick, but I doubt all-forward operation will deter people from riding. If people desperately want to ride a coaster backward, there's Invertigo. (I'd also love to see it painted red, white, blue, and the removal of the over-reactive headrests.) And a crew that doesn't act like they're at Burger King. For one example, SFGAm's American Eagle ran one side backward for several years, but I've heard that last year or so, it's all-forward operation again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I have a preference, out of nostalgia's sake, to make The Racer all-forward again. The backwards orientation begun in 1982 may be a neat gimmick, but I doubt all-forward operation will deter people from riding. If people desperately want to ride a coaster backward, there's Invertigo. (I'd also love to see it painted red, white, blue, and the removal of the over-reactive headrests.) And a crew that doesn't act like they're at Burger King. For one example, SFGAm's American Eagle ran one side backward for several years, but I've heard that last year or so, it's all-forward operation again. I completely agree with you right down to the Burger King comment. They seem to think they're at the wrong kind of "king." Sorry...couldn't resist. The only downside of having both facing forward, is I only forsee both sides being open on the busiest of days, and it pains me to think of seeing Racer only half used. At least the way it is, at times you get a race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Taken from answers.com History.... By the late 1990s it was estimated there were over 200 major roller coasters in operation in the United States, with more being added every year. In May of 2000, the Millenium Force opened at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. At 310 ft (94 m) tall and going 92 mph (148 kmp), it is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Right when written, wrong now. In fact, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world is in New Jersey. For now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 How about the tallest coaster over 1 minute in length, which is what I go for, they don't do as much for me when there only a half of a minute, I think the Force is 2nd in this category, seems like they opened one in Japan that was taller over a minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Still not even close to second, given even that parameter: http://www.rcdb.com/rhr.htm And very, very soon, Racecoaster in Germany will be first, and probably less than 30 seconds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 Nothing like waiting 3 hours for 20 seconds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rcfreak339 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I really have mixed emotions about this, for 1 the ride is pretty fun goin backwards but is starting to get rough and every time i get off it my knulkels are bruised and hurts alot but then again you dont want to lose the rich history Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DropZone99 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 The recaR would never be the same if it wasn't backwards, it's so much more thrilling than the frontwards Racer. About 70% of the people who ride The Racer/recaR ride it backwards, so it would be a very stupid move for Cedar Fair and Kings Island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 The recaR would never be the same if it was backwards, it's so much more thrilling than frontwards Racer. About 70% of the people who ride The Racer/recaR ride it backwards, so it would be a very stupid move for Cedar Fair and Kings Island. That figure you quoted is not correct. Not even close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I might have caught a wrong word or it was a joke but in another topic i thought that it had been confirmed the both sides would be going forward this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 The park is going forward with its plans....see the website, and go on opening day to see for yourself, or listen to/read the reports the Saturday before as the park is open for the private event booked on that day. Onward goes the moving ride, never looking back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 It would be nice to continue having the option of going both directions. We will just have to wait to see if the rumor is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 It will be a sad, sad day, riding The Racer backwards is my favorite wooden coaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster_junky Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Would you be upset if they turn the backwards racer around i would for one reason, and that i couldn't set in the back seat of the recar and watch the track pull away from me. plus i don't even like the forward racer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 It's going to be interesting experiencing the right-side track going forward. Doing a right-turn after the "out" leg is going to take some getting used to. It'll be kind of like a new coaster for me (I never rode the right-side track before it was reversed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'll miss recaR. I have been going to the park for many,many years, so I do remember both sides forward. But turning Racer South backwards brought a whole new experience to the ride, which is loved by many. I love both sides of Racer and am disappointed in CF's decision to turn around recaR, especially if this is just a cost saving move so that they can open only one side on slower days. There is a reason that coaster has the name it does...it's supposed to RACE. When I was a kid, it was a big deal to see if I was on the winning train or not, however in recent years there have sadly been many times I've ridden where the trains were not dispatched together. If they open only one side on slow days, they should change the coaster's name from Racer to Practice Lap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 If they open only one side on slow days, they should change the coaster's name from Racer to Practice Lap. ^Nice. Fits in well with the current naming trend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 ^ You would be surprised on how many parks with "racing" coasters actually do not race often. But if CF continues the trend that they have done with Gemini, Racers will race more often than not. We probably should also wait to pass judgement until it actually happens. I'm just waiting to have someone mention that Kennywood's Racer always races so why can't KI's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIBeast Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Would you be upset if they turn the backwards racer around i would for one reason, and that i couldn't set in the back seat of the recar and watch the track pull away from me. plus i don't even like the forward racer Me too. I rarely ride Racer forward any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 My life will greatly improve if both Racers are forwards. Whenever I visit Kings Island with my wife and son, I ride The Racer and Adventure Express alone because they have the shortest line and my son is too short for anything bigger than the Failrly Odd Coaster. I don't much care for Backwards Racer, so I ride forwards. If both are forwards, I'll have a shorter wait. Hence, my life would be easier. We shall see. Have a great day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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