i went on friday june 2nd, and both of The Racers were broken down on the lift. does that happen often???

Were they that way all day?

If so, that is uncommon.

But for one of the trains to sit on the lift a while is not all that unusual. A bit unusual for both of them to be, really.

I overheard the calls on the radio, and to answer your question, no. The ride is very reliable from what I can tell.

thanks BoddaH1994

I don't think I can ever remember The Racers being down for more than a couple hours. It's a Workhorse as well.

LOL, I remember when they used to use hand brakes to start and stop the trains.

...and the flip down bars and skid brakes...and when you boarded from the outside edge of the station, instead of the center...and there was two stop unload/load!

And no one had ever thought to turn one of them around backwards!

...and the flip down bars and skid brakes...and when you boarded from the outside edge of the station, instead of the center...and there was two stop unload/load!

And no one had ever thought to turn one of them around backwards!

I actually had a T Shirt from when they first flipped the train. I wonder where it is now. I bet it's at my mom's place. Not a chance I could nearly fit into it any more.

I was on the backwards one when it was still forwards - many, many times. I even have 8mm film on-ride movies of it! Back then, they let you take a camera on anything - no laws or restrictions. And the head choppers were still in place near the final hills coming into the station.

Actually it was the HILLS that were still in place!

^ this is true. A REAL headchopper would be a track under a track. Racers ran under supports of the lift hill and others. They must use magic these days to keep the hills from falling, eh?

Well, that too!

Seriously, what I meant was that the final hill was removed from each side some time ago...first the forward side one year, then the backwards the next. This was during the mid-late nineties. I think that is what you are missing...

Well, that too!

Seriously, what I meant was that the final hill was removed from each side some time ago...first the forward side one year, then the backwards the next. This was during the mid-late nineties. I think that is what you are missing...

What's your theory as to why that was done?

"They" SAID it had to do with Outer Limits Flight of Fear's entrance...but I doubt that. I think it either reduced maintenance costs and/or was needed for the conversion from the skid brakes. Most likely the latter...

"They" SAID it had to do with Outer Limits Flight of Fear's entrance...but I doubt that. I think it either reduced maintenance costs and/or was needed for the conversion from the skid brakes. Most likely the latter...

I think the latter. I can not see how it had anything to do with the FOF entrance.

Um.

Don't fin brakes actually need LESS space to stop the trains !?

Remember that one side was done a full season before the other.

They said it was due to the entrance to Flight of Fear, but that area was a service road back then so the path already existed, as can be seen on RCDB

I believe the real reson has to do with a rolling stock change.

What, heavier trains couldn't make the final hill?

If they would put some money into actual wood coaster maintenance and kill the trim brakes, that wouldn't be an issue.

I dont necessarly know if it couldn't make the final hill, but I believe they wanted to extend the brake run due to the heavier trains.

TRTRGuy, the link to the photo you provided, in case anyone was wondering, was taken sometime between 1990 (the year Flight Commander opened) and 1994 (the year the Action FX Theater opened).

It was taken in 1992

Rolling stock change? When did The Racer ever get new trains? I know they converted to individual lap bars from the single bar. But they didn't get new trains. As far as I know The Racer has the same trains has they always have. You can even see in the train where the old bars used to be. Ever seen that metal piece thats up near the top of the car on the right or left. That's where the old bars used to be.

The trains had to be modified for the new brakes....thus, the rolling stock change.

If the trains could stop on the old skid length before, there is NO REASON they could not stop on fin brakes in the same space...

Ever notice all the empty space in The Racer tunnel? Just move the holding position closer to the station, add more brakes to the reduction run, and put the hills back on. Problem solved.

I doubt the park sees the absence of those hills as a problem. Especially since the average guest does not, and correcting the 'problem' would cost money, substantial money, and for what?

Besides, I still think maintenance expense was also reduced by this change.