New Horizons Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 https://www.kingsislandgear.com/collections/new-apparel/products/racer-tee Here is the link to the shirts and in the Facebook post KI mentions "Whoops! Our printer got this one "Backwards!" This version of the soft style Gildan tee will be available for a limited time only. Free Shipping offer applies to this item only. " This seems like oddly specific use of word backwards and the fact its being sold as official merch makes me believe this is a subtle tease for a backwards racer side once again. I mean the GP absolutely loved when it went backwards and i still hear people talking about how much they miss it. Including enthusiasts. So what do you guys think about it? 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I believe they have stated many times Racer will never run backwards again as it never was designed to go backwards and PTC's instructions were to run it forwards only. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesy Gordita Crunch Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I sure hope so. Probably just a nod to the park’s history but it would be super cool if they brought it back, especially with all of the retracking. Maybe we are looking at a repaint + backwards Racer for 2022? Only time will tell but it would make sense for the anniversary imo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Horizons Posted October 6, 2021 Author Share Posted October 6, 2021 I believe they have stated many times Racer will never run backwards again as it never was designed to go backwards and PTC's instructions were to run it forwards only. This is exactly why I feel like it’s not going to go backwards! That being said though they have been giving a lot of love to racer recently with the retracking and the parks 50th is coming and this would be an easy crowd pleaser… my heart says Yes but my brain says no . Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medford Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I doubt they have ever officially said "it will never run backwards again". Perhaps something to the effect that there are no plans to run it backwards again, but it wouldn't be good PR to paint yourself into such a corner with the words "never" on such a subject. It may not have been designed to run backwards and PTC instructions may instruct them to only run it forward (though I've always felt this was a dubious claim, instructions were likely how to mount it with no mention or thought to ever reversing the seats on the train. The ride had a rather lengthy history of running one side backwards with few to no incidents that I'm aware of. I doubt it would be that hard to have an engineer or design professional form an approval letter for running it backwards again if that is all it takes. Its always been my belief that PR's claim that they turned the far side around was primarily because that is the way it was intended and originally ran to bull. I believe the main reason they turned it around was so that both ride experiences were essentially the same and on slow days or at park opening, they could keep one side running, and the other side down and not take anything away from their guests. I don't recall if ridership (at least when I was there) was significantly less on the backwards side or not, but that could potentially play a role as well if the general public just didn't like the backwards experience near as much. Personally, I always loved the backwards experience and it always gave me a reason to ride it twice on each visit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco2000 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 8 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said: I believe they have stated many times Racer will never run backwards again as it never was designed to go backwards and PTC's instructions were to run it forwards only. True with PTC trains, but what if they replaced the trains with ones that a manufacturer says could go backwards.... Remember once upon a time they said Winterfest would never come back either... Never is a long time and personnel and ownership and technology change... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimParker85 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 If there was ever a time, it would be for the 50th anniversary, a one year only event. It would be fun to see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 What I found interesting in the teaser was the 2018 master plan blue prints. Why would they include that? Are they gearing up to release plans for the parks next largest investment ever? Trolling? Or just something they had lying around and used it to cover a blemish on the desk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster sally Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 If batman clones can run backwards no reason a woodie can't. Its more about Cedar Fair and their insurance company like the seatbelts on all their b&m hypers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Horizons Posted October 6, 2021 Author Share Posted October 6, 2021 If batman clones can run backwards no reason a woodie can't. Its more about Cedar Fair and their insurance company like the seatbelts on all their b&m hypers.I’m cool with seatbelts but I wish that they were used as a way to keep the restraint down rather than keeping our bodies down. Like I love how for example on Banshee the seatbelt is a fail safe method to keep the restraint down and it really doesn’t affect the rider at all. As opposed to diamond back in Orion where you have to physically have a seatbelt buckled and assuming a restraint opened you would be relying on the seatbelt to hold you in . Idk if this makes any sense at all Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 It has been said PTC allowed one side to operate backwards in 1982. When CF came into the picture and asked the PTC of their recommendation, it was obviously different than 1982. CF being self-insured likely has some impact on the decision to ask the question to PTC. PTC's recommendation likely changed due to the litigious world we live in today. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 23 minutes ago, Browntggrr said: It has been said PTC allowed one side to operate backwards in 1982. When CF came into the picture and asked the PTC of their recommendation, it was obviously different than 1982. CF being self-insured likely has some impact on the decision to ask the question to PTC. PTC's recommendation likely changed due to the litigious world we live in today. As I understand, the swap back to racing forward had nothing to do with PTC. It was strictly a Managerial decision. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 27 minutes ago, Shaggy said: As I understand, the swap back to racing forward had nothing to do with PTC. It was strictly a Managerial decision. Correct. If they wanted to do so, they could have it going backwards pretty quickly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 Doubt it. But if there was ever a time to do it, it would be in 2022. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
standbyme Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I have never understood the mystic of riding it backwards...for me, after a couple of times it was "been there done that"...I preferred looking down the hills. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I’d be in favor of Racer running backwards again 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster sally Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 Run one train of Banshee backwards during haunt like SIX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Ding Dong Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 45 minutes ago, standbyme said: I have never understood the mystic of riding it backwards...for me, after a couple of times it was "been there done that"...I preferred looking down the hills. You only look up half the time. The other half you look down. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjcolglazier Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 2 hours ago, standbyme said: I have never understood the mystic of riding it backwards...for me, after a couple of times it was "been there done that"...I preferred looking down the hills. I get it, but it was still semi-popular especially for non-passholders. None of my kids have ridden it backwards, but I have. Maybe they need to offer it periodically. I bet it would bring a lot of riders when they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I do think it would be very popular if they brought it back. In the last 10 years and before 2017, what was the most asked question about Kings Island? When is Winterfest coming back? and Why are they no longer running one side of Racer backwards? Because I miss it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I thought the story of recaR was settled in the book: Kings Island: A Ride Through Time by @KIghostguy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 1 hour ago, BeeastFarmer said: I thought the story of recaR was settled in the book: Kings Island: A Ride Through Time by @KIghostguy. If you asked 10 different people why it was changed on 10 different occasions then you’ll get different answers each time. I feel like the reasoning given in the book is just another narrative. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robintodd Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I've always thought a great idea would be to set one side of The Racer backward during Haunt only. It would add to the unique experience during the haunt season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSummit20 Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 22 hours ago, New Horizons said: https://www.kingsislandgear.com/collections/new-apparel/products/racer-tee Here is the link to the shirts and in the Facebook post KI mentions "Whoops! Our printer got this one "Backwards!" This version of the soft style Gildan tee will be available for a limited time only. Free Shipping offer applies to this item only. " This seems like oddly specific use of word backwards and the fact its being sold as official merch makes me believe this is a subtle tease for a backwards racer side once again. I mean the GP absolutely loved when it went backwards and i still hear people talking about how much they miss it. Including enthusiasts. So what do you guys think about it? No way it goes backwards again. I guess since all the old rides are "official merch" too they are coming back? Not trying to be rude, trust me i would love it to come back. But i dont think it will sadly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBEW_Sparky Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 And what would be the best way to completely put this to rest? Being able to ask a question and getting a real, transparent answer, provided it doesn't disclose ACTUAL IMPORTANT proprietary information instead of "No decision has been made at this time" for instance.... I'm sure everyone remembers that one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenthodge Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 From the “accidental” backwards printing to the “unintended” backwards image in the Orion art, there’s seem to be quite a few “mistakes” either pointing to a change, or trollling fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 9 hours ago, robintodd said: I've always thought a great idea would be to set one side of The Racer backward during Haunt only. It would add to the unique experience during the haunt season. I'm not entirely sure if this is feasible in terms of time. Not only do the trains have to be turned around, but their brake fins also need to be realigned. Then there's the matter of does the State have to come out and perform the same amount of tests/cycles/inspections etc. to certify the ride. Magic Mountain, for example, did this on (old) Colossus by having separate trains that could be swapped out for backwards operation (the old B&M Psyclone trains). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldschool75 Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I believe they have stated many times Racer will never run backwards again as it never was designed to go backwards and PTC's instructions were to run it forwards only. It was an internal decision. Had nothing to do with PTC. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purdude86 Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 I would love it but agree with others that it's likely more just a nod to it's history, especially with the 50th next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robintodd Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Most likely could be done the week or two prior (just run 1 train on each track for 1 weekend, usually a park sellout with light attendance) and store the modded trains in the old pull offs (There's room for 2 in each one). I would think 5 days would be enough of a turn around. Inspections with the state wouldn't be that hard if pre-arranged. Think about how when a ride goes down in the middle of the season how quickly they can get an inspection to get it back open. Not likely, but I still think it would be a great tie-in with Haunt and a way to appease those who enjoy the backwards experience and to allow current generations to enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.