AT: Tim Baldwin
GURNEE, Ill. — Since July 4, visitors to Six Flags Great America have been enjoying a triple set of coaster records. Supplied by S&S Worldwide, Maxx Force is the newest thrill to the theme park’s massive coaster line-up.
The coaster designer is Joe Draves of Ride Centerline. He gives names to the ride’s elements such as The Dog Tongue and 270 Fakey Dive Loop, which consists of an uphill 270-degree twist.
“Maxx Force is absolutely revolutionary, taking Six Flags innovation to an all-new level of extreme,” said Six Flags Great America Park President Hank Salemi. “The breathtaking acceleration of this coaster alone makes it an incredible ride, but add three record-breaking features plus five high-speed inversions and you have an astonishing coaster experience unrivaled by any other ride in all of North America.”
“The launch is 100 percent the moment on the ride,” noted Pete Barto, director of sales, S&S. “From Day One I knew that was going to be the highlight thrill factor.”
A unique air-powered launch provides the first record. Riders blast from 0 – 78 mph in under two seconds, 1.8 to be exact. It is the fastest acceleration reached on any coaster in North America. (While other coasters may reach greater launched speeds, they do so in a longer launch time.)
“The bunny hop at the end of the launch track gives a moment of zero Gs,” said Draves. It also allows clearance for a full height main drop off the world’s tallest double inversion.” (That’s the Dog Tongue thing.)
“The people’s expressions in those first two seconds are priceless,” said Barto. “Even coaster fans with a lot of experience have an expression of surprise with the force of that launch.”
The records don’t stop there. Following the powerful launch, passengers soar skyward. The world’s tallest double inversion is taken at 175 above the ground, the ride’s tallest point. From there, trains dive to the ground, zipping below the launch track and careen through a high-speed, banked turn.
The ride’s third inversion (out of five) shoots thrill seekers through a barrel roll at 60 mph, the world’s fastest inversion.
The final element of the ride is an unusual section of twisted track that inverts riders climbing upward and then twists into the fifth inversion as it dives down onto a magnetic brake run.
Custom coaster trains are modeled after Formula One racing cars. Barto points out that the restraint system comfortably accommodates larger guests. Passengers are safely restrained without cumbersome over-the-shoulder restraints.
“Along with similar trains at Kennywood on The Steel Curtain, by opening that up, it really keeps it a wide field for everyone, while keeping all guests 48 inches above restrained safely,” he said.
Two trains seat 16 riders each.
The custom design for the park had to fit into a snug footprint as a long straight stretch was needed for the launch. The launch also had to travel below Great America’s train track. “It is shoehorned in between two coasters, especially the back tower,” said Barto. “Every inch of that ride is customized to fit into the park. We’re really happy with how it turned out.”
Draves stated the tallest element of the ride was designed to straddle the existing service road footprint that wraps the Whizzer’s finale helix.
“The whole ride is in your face. The reaction of passengers is unrivaled for pure exhilaration and fun,” said Draves.
Amusement Today asked Barto if there were advantages of an air-launched system compared to the more widely used magnetically launched methods.
“The biggest difference is the force of the launch. With LIMS and LSMs, you are building up speed much more slowly. Hitting speeds of almost 80 mph in under two seconds is powerful,” he said.
With no lift hill, the ride duration is taken quickly in under 30 seconds. Track length is 1,800 feet.
“We could have had a more traditional sloped brake run just after the world’s fastest inversion, but that wouldn’t have been nearly as fun,” said Draves. “The finale 270 Fakey Dive Loop [the final inversions] really puts it over the top.”
“Six Flags was looking for a unique ride experience, something that wasn’t out there,” said Barto. “With all the new changes we’ve made to the air launch system, it is a completely different ride.”
This article appears in the SEPTEMBER 2019 issue of Amusement Today.
Get all the industry news delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE TO AMUSEMENT TODAY
or view the entire issue for free with our digital edition!
