FoolCrzy Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Just saw this. https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/kings-island-racer-coaster-getting-new-track-smoother-ride I didn't see it posted, yet. Interested to see how extensive the work will be. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Read the full story here: https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/kings-island-racer-coaster-getting-new-track-smoother-ride Quote Kings Island tells WCPO.com that over the past month, workers from Great Coasters International have been retracking the back turns, including the approach and exit hills, with new track and supports. Park spokesman Chad Showalter provided the above photo, showing the new track on the back turn of the North Racer. He says it is considered part of regularly scheduled maintenance, but is more extensive than normal wintertime painting and reconditioning. GCI is a Pennsylvania company that specializes in building and restoring classic wooden coasters, and most recently built the park's successful Mystic Timbers coaster in 2016-17. https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/014667d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3375+0+313/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fewscripps.brightspotcdn.com%2F05%2Ff2%2F97b7ee5545428a8041dd9361ff0d%2Fracer2.jpg https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/9f/20/a606d0f9422a85257004c3ab762f/img-9386.jpg 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastfan11 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Now is the time for that original paint scheme! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivertown Rider Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Hopefully they are working on Red this offseason as well as it has been rougher than Blue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofBaconator Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 This makes me happy as an enthusiast, especially since its GCI working on it 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Now if only we could get new PTC's for it, new paint, and run the chaser lights all the way down. Still a much needed TLC job for sure. I will say it was running better this season. The blue side even had decent pops of air for once on the return run. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hampshire24 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I wonder why they didn't include this in their announcements this summer? I would think this would have been a perfect pairing to announce with the Antique Cars. Kind of like a Coney Mall Makeover with the BBQ, Cars, and Racer Re-Track. Maybe they thought this would overshadow the Antique Cars announcement? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlitfire Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 6 minutes ago, Hampshire24 said: Maybe they thought this would overshadow the Antique Cars announcement? Given that people were thinking we were going to get an RMC version of Son of Beast, I think that keeping this announcement nice and sweet was a better idea. It probably would have overshadowed the return of the Antiques, and I doubt that most of the GP would necessarily care. Will they enjoy the retracking? Sure, but unless it was getting converted into an RMC Hybrid then I think that it's not worth writing home about it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Likely they didn`t announce it separate as it is part of yearly off season maintenance as the article indicates. They always retrack portions of the coasters every off season. I do admit that this looks like a bit more than their typical retracking. Glad to see the Racer getting some TLC. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOULLBEBACK Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 This makes me very happy. Love that ride, it deserves re-tracking and hopefully a nice new paint job at some point. I think the part is really valuing the importance and selling power of nostalgia by really spending some time and effort into revamping Coney Mall the past 2 years. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlondyRidesOn Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Glad things are looking up for the ride. I hope GCI continues to do this work in the next few seasons as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Well, keep in mind that GCI was also rebuilding large sections of Thunder Road each season before it finally met the wrecking ball to make room for Carolina Harbour water park. Not saying that Racer will meet the same fate, but just because a ride is refurbished doesn`t necessarily mean it will be here for years to come. See King Cobra that was repainted for the Action Zone conversion in 1999, and was dismantled at the beginning of the 2002 season. I do not think the same thing will happen to Racer. It is too iconic of a ride. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlondyRidesOn Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Another thing to keep in mind is that Thunder Road had major structural problems, while Racer does not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Meyer Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 7 hours ago, silver2005 said: Now if only we could get new PTC's for it, new paint, and run the chaser lights all the way down. I'm with you all the way for that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 3 hours ago, CoastersRZ said: Well, keep in mind that GCI was also rebuilding large sections of Thunder Road each season before it finally met the wrecking ball to make room for Carolina Harbour water park. Not saying that Racer will meet the same fate, but just because a ride is refurbished doesn`t necessarily mean it will be here for years to come. See King Cobra that was repainted for the Action Zone conversion in 1999, and was dismantled at the beginning of the 2002 season. I do not think the same thing will happen to Racer. It is too iconic of a ride. Also I should point out that it is my understanding that this is not GCI’s first BBQ doing retrack work for Kings Island - not including Mystic Timbers, of course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I don't think Racer is going anywhere anytime soon. As far as I am aware, it doesn't have structural problems. But what it does have is historical significance. While the article I read plays it up like no one wants to ride The Racer any more because it's bumpy, it does still seem to have a healthy amount of riders. At least from what I've seen. Unless it's to the point where the ride becomes unsafe or unmanageable, I think Kings Island would be making one of its worst decisions in removing this ride. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIBeast Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I am happy that Racer is getting re-tracked. I never found it too bumpy myself, but I'm sure that GCI will do some quality work. I am more than happy with Mystic Timbers. I think it met all expectations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudeHoward Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Has anything been said as to whether it'll be receiving GCI trains or if it will remain PTC trains? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goettablitz Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I would love for Racer and Beast to receive Millennium Flyers but I doubt that would ever happen 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlondyRidesOn Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 I'm sure it will remain the original PTC trains. With Wildcat at Lake Compounce, they had to rebuild large sections of structure for that coaster to accommodate the Millennium Flyer trains. Racer is simply receiving new track in some areas rather than a full overhaul. Millennium Flyer trains would be very nice on Racer, though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 "Original" PTC trains is a relative term.... those trains have been re-built so many times over the years that I'd expect there's not one original thing left on any of them. Heck even the various front panels are owned by different KI collectors. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super7 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Will Racer eventually look horrible with unpainted wood as Thunder Road did? Right now Kings Iskand Racer looks the best of the 3 (Including Thunder Road at the end ). They aren’t painting new track on Racer 75 at Kings Dominion Thunder Road looked dilapidated as it had no painted wood in the end Racer is a good coaster. Racer 75 and Thunder Road is/was superior however. The two tracks stay/stayed together until the turn around on those coasters producing a better racing effect. They both have/had a wonderful floater hill instead of that larger hill where KI Racer splits. They both have/had surprise tunnel finales which KI Racer lacks. Plus they took out the final hill of Racer for X Base entrance. Racet 75 does not have trims at the turnaround like KI. Will Ki lose the trims with this retrack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoeter Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Would The Racer lose it’s ACE Coaster Landmark status if it got Millennium Flyer trains?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 ACE Coaster Landmark is not to be confused with an ACE Coaster Classic. A Coaster Landmark is a coaster that has had a significant contribution to the history of coasters. Upgrades and/or extensive maintenance do not jeopardize that. The Beast is also considered an ACE Coaster Landmark. Woodstock Express at Kings Island used to be an ACE Coaster Classic. Cincinnati area coaster enthusiasts can still experience an ACE Coaster Classic at Stricker`s Grove on the Teddy Bear, which was based on the coaster of the same name from Coney Island. From the ACE website (ACE Coaster Classic) An ACE coaster classic is defined as follows: An ACE Coaster Classic is about a traditional experience. One that has been shared by generations of thrill seekers since the golden age of the 1920s when the wild, uninhibited, free wheeling thrills of the wooden coaster established it as the premier thrill ride and an icon of popular culture. The concept of ACE Coaster Classics was developed during a period when changes in the design, equipping, and operation of wood coasters threatened to erase these time-honored experiences and rituals. ACE awards ACE Coaster Classic status to coasters that still adhere to these principles that allow riders to safely experience the thrill of the classic wooden roller coaster ride. To be eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status, the coaster must meet the following criteria: The coaster must use traditional lap bars that allow riders to experience so-called airtime, or negative G's (that sensation of floating above the seat!). Individual, ratcheting lap bars do not meet this requirement. ACE Coaster Classics allow riders to slide from side-to-side. A coaster with any restraint or device that restricts this freedom is not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status. ACE Coaster Classics allow riders to view the upcoming drops and thrills. Coasters with headrests on every seat, or the majority of seats, restrict this view and are not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status. On ACE Coaster Classics, riders are free to choose where they sit. Some parks' operating procedures assign seating; these coasters are not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 I never had an issue with the either side of The Racer but I always rode in the middle seat of a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super7 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Middle seat of any car is smoothest on wooden coasters with 3 row cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixohdieselrage Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 We just flew over, and I didnt even think to look at The Racer.... I was too preoccupied with Firehawk. Let me see if I accidentally got pics of the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 21 minutes ago, super7 said: Middle seat of any car is smoothest on wooden coasters with 3 row cars. Unless that coaster is named Son of Beast. On 2 bench PTC's or if you have to pick a wheel seat, the front of the cars are smoother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Don made a blog post about the Racer track work. It seems pretty cut and dry that the majority of the track work is just on the blue side turn around. Don't set your expectations to seeing much more that that being retracked. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2019/january/new-track-part-of-racer-roller-coasters-annual-winter-work 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 1 hour ago, silver2005 said: Unless that coaster is named Son of Beast. On 2 bench PTC's or if you have to pick a wheel seat, the front of the cars are smoother. To be fair, the 6-bench rule held true (from what I have heard) even for Son of Beast, it was just the coaster was apparently so rough on average it just went from "OH #&! MY BACK" on a wheel seat to "Ow, that hurt my back". It gave a smoother ride, but it was still rough compared to other coasters. Then again I never rode Son of Beast, in the 2000-2006 form (when it has 3 row cars) or otherwise, so I cannot confirm. BTW, I have learned that the middle row of ANY coaster with 3-row cars is usually smoother. Woodies like Blue Streak, Racer, and Beast are all smoother of course but even Arrow Mine Train Type Cars (Used on Adventure Express, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Gemini, and even Magnum XL-200 oddly) all gave me smoother rides from the middle row. 4 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said: Don made a blog post about The Racer track work. It seems pretty cut and dry that the majority of the track work is just on the blue side turn around. Don't set your expectations to seeing much more that that being retracked. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2019/january/new-track-part-of-racer-roller-coasters-annual-winter-work Awe. I was hoping it would be a bit more than that- is OK though, Blue Racer's turnaround IMO was one of the rougher spots on both sides. There was a violent "Pothole" there last season, right before you went up into the actual turnaround. I hope they at least fix that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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