BlondyRidesOn

I voted wooden coaster. Although the trains run on a steel box, the box is on top of a stack of wood.

Those lights have been there for a while. The Eiffel Tower at Kings Dominion has a similar light package on its cupola. I also noticed that the pulley systems used to hold the stars in place at the top during Winterfest are still there. I wonder if they're going to leave them for quick installation each winter.

The station has an open platform and riders enter through the same queue entrance. Even with one side open I've seen long lines for the ride.

The park counts it as one coaster.

Is that the full speed? Wow that looks fast!

Plus, The Racer still brings in over 1 million riders each season, giving more rides each season than The Beast according to the numbers the park publishes.

The 1971 pictures were very cool, but actually also pretty sad to flip through. Just knowing that it would close a few days later. But of course it never completely died. It was also cool seeing that picture of the carousel. Hard to imagine it without the Wurlitzer 157.

The Racer needs a paint job, but I must say it looks good compared to other wooden coasters. A bright red white and blue color scheme would look amazing on the coaster again. Edit: Forgot the t in paint.

I wouldn't take a Chance on that. Blondy, using his words carefully.

Kings Island was for a while, but I thought I remember reading on here that Carowinds eventually became the flagship park shortly before the Cedar Fair acquisition.

If it's given a Coney Island theme to match the area, they could name it "Wildcat," named after the PTC woodie which operated at Coney from 1925 to 1964. Since it would be built in the woods, the Wildcat theme would go well with a prowling forest creature.

I voted for International Street. I would have picked Coney Mall because I can't get enough of The Racer, but International Street creates that escapism in the sense that the moment you step in the gate, you transport to a new land, with the buildings by Bruce Bushman, the Royal Fountain and Eiffel Tower, and the music. They help create an amazing experience when entering the park.

I always thought about that idea. Give Backlot a send off and then immediately go in and retheme it after shutting down, kind of like what Cedar Point did with Mantis becoming Rougarou.

Since the instrumental music on International Street is returning this season, will there possibly be an updated version of the playlist? I would love to hear "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Afternoon of a Faun)" by Claude Debussy over the loud speakers on International Street. Would go great with the setting of the Royal Fountain and Eiffel Tower.

What if B&M were to use the elevator cable lift that Intamin uses on their Gigas.

You can add me in that mix as well.

- Elephant Ears from Rivertown and French crepes at food stand next to Yogurt Plus in French building on International Street. - Hot dogs, brats, metts, and corn dogs in Oktoberfest.

It's hard to tell if it's been sold or if the ride will simply be scrapped. Do you think they might do what Paramount did with King Cobra and stored it on site until the coaster gets a buyer?

The roughest and jerkiest part of the ride is when you exit the tunnel after your second time around the helix before heading to the break run. Other than that it's not that bad from what I have experienced.

The problem with the name change, in my opinion, is that Rebel Yell was the rides name since opening day 1975, and for nostalgic reasons it should have kept the name it always had to avoid possible confusion between our Racer and theirs. But I will weigh in on both sides of the argument, it's better than what happened to Thunder Road.

A big issue with The Racer's rough and bumpiness is the design of the PTC trains, making it a bit difficult for them to turn corners without it damaging the track. Replacing the current trains may improve the coaster greatly and ensure longer lasting smoothness of a retrack.

I would love to see some spruced up theming in Coney Mall; just as long as our Racer retains the same name.

Just got my call for processing yesterday! Three years in Merchandise.

I'm surprised that it's already starting to appear on site. Not all that common in coaster construction.

Maybe not the whole coaster, bit they'd have to do a lot of ground and terrain work.