American Thunder (roller coaster)

American Thunder
The then-Evel Knievel Coaster in 2008
Six Flags St. Louis
Park section 1904 World's Fair
Coordinates 38°30′45″N 90°40′38″W / 38.51250°N 90.67722°W / 38.51250; -90.67722Coordinates: 38°30′45″N 90°40′38″W / 38.51250°N 90.67722°W / 38.51250; -90.67722
Status Operating
Opening date June 20, 2008
Cost US$7,000,000
General statistics
Type Wood
Manufacturer Great Coasters International
Height 82 ft (25 m)
Drop 80 ft (24 m)
Length 2,713 ft (827 m)
Speed 48 mph (77 km/h)
Inversions 0
Capacity 850 riders per hour
Height restriction 48 in (122 cm)
Trains 2 trains with 12 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
American Thunder at RCDB
Pictures of American Thunder at RCDB

American Thunder is a wooden roller coaster that opened June 20, 2008, at Six Flags St. Louis. The coaster was originally named after and themed to the famous motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel. It was renamed American Thunder for the 2011 season.[1] To help promote the opening of the then-Evel Knievel Roller Coaster, Knievel's son, Robbie Knievel, jumped a Honda CR-500 motorcycle over 25 Dodge Chargers on July 3, 2008.[2]

As a result of the St. Louis Cardinals losing to the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 National League Division Series, Six Flags St. Louis lost a friendly wager with Six Flags Great America, resulting in the temporary name change of the roller coaster to Cubs Thunder.[3]

Ride experience

This $7 Million GCI wooden roller coaster, which is identical to the Thunderbird at PowerPark, features an 80-foot (24 m) drop with a top speed of 48 mph (77 km/h), going through a course of 2,700 feet (820 m) of track.[4] This ride features 16 hills and multiple high banked turns at up to 67° angles.[4] The layout crosses over and under itself seventeen times. This ride also features two 24-passenger Millennium Flyer trains for better cornering.[4]

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year20082009201020112012201320142015201620172018
Ranking 44[5]13[6]23[7]22[8]31[9]25[10]31[11]39[12]33[13]40[14] 38 (tie)[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Six Flags amusement parks prepare for thematic makeovers". 25 November 2010 – via LA Times.
  2. ↑ "Robbie Knievel Jump to Promote New Ride".
  3. ↑ Moran, Dan (October 15, 2015). "Six Flags St. Louis loses bet, renames coaster 'Cubs Thunder'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 New ride comes to Six Flags St. Louis Post Dispatch Retrieved and Dated 26 September 2007
  5. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42&ndash, 43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 38&ndash, 39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 38&ndash, 39. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 46&ndash, 47. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 46&ndash, 47. September 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ "2013 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 40&ndash, 41. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  11. ↑ "2014 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 38&ndash, 39. September 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  12. ↑ "2015 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 45&ndash, 46. September 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  13. ↑ "2016 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 20 (6.2): 46. September 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  14. ↑ "2017 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 21 (6.2): 50. September 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  15. ↑ "2018 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 22 (6.2): 48. September 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
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