I came across an interesting bit of information the other day. I read that after the first season of operation they reprofiled the helix on The Beast. Is there any truth to this, if so what did they do? Also anybody got pics of before and after? Just wanted to know my first ride didn't come until 1980.

The final run after the last tunnel and the helix were banked more to handle the speed and the helix was originally supposed to be totally enclosed. However in the second season, the two tunnels in the woods were connected. At that time you zipped into one then the other and there was hardly any dark at all. So to keep the record of 4 tunnels, they left the helix open. I also recall the roof area in place the first year over the helix, but only the current tunnel area enclosed. The next year the roof was gone from the upward spiral of the helix.

Edited January 1, 197056 yr by upstop

Thank you, I wish I could have been there the year it opened, much less been big enough to ride. I bet it was really a wild ride with the helix banked less then today.