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Top Thrill Dragster

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Top Thrill Dragster
Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.jpg
Top Thrill Dragster launching
Cedar Point
LocationCedar Point
Park sectionGemini Midway
Coordinates41°29′2.25″N 82°41′10.38″W / 41.4839583°N 82.6862167°W / 41.4839583; -82.6862167Coordinates: 41°29′2.25″N 82°41′10.38″W / 41.4839583°N 82.6862167°W / 41.4839583; -82.6862167
StatusClosed
Soft opening dateMay 1, 2003 (2003-05-01)
Opening dateMay 4, 2003 (2003-05-04)
Cost$25 million
ReplacedChaos, Troika
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerWerner Stengel
ModelAccelerator Coaster
Lift/launch systemHydraulic Launch
Height420 ft (130 m)
Drop400 ft (120 m)
Length2,800 ft (850 m)
Speed120 mph (190 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration0:30
Max vertical angle90°
Capacity1,000 riders per hour
Acceleration0 to 120 mph (0 to 193 km/h) in 4 seconds
Height restriction52–78[1] in (132–198 cm)
Trains6 trains, with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows (except for the first car), for a total of 18 riders per train.
RestraintLap bar
Fast Lane Plus only available
Top Thrill Dragster at RCDB
Pictures of Top Thrill Dragster at RCDB

Top Thrill Dragster is a steel accelerator roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. Manufactured by Intamin, it was the sixteenth roller coaster to be built at the park since Blue Streak in 1964. It opened in 2003 as the tallest roller coaster in the world and the first full-circuit roller coaster to exceed 400 feet (120 m) in height. Its height record was later surpassed by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2005.[2][3] Top Thrill Dragster, along with Kingda Ka, are the only strata coasters in existence.[4] It was the second hydraulically launched roller coaster built by Intamin, following Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm.[5] The tagline for Top Thrill Dragster is "Race for the Sky".[6]

History[]

According to Rob Decker, vice president of planning and design, the park began working on a new project shortly after the debut of Millennium Force in 2000.[7] After the 2001 season ended, a Dodgem ride across from Magnum XL-200's entrance was relocated to Michigan's Adventure to clear the way for the new ride. In April 2002, work began on the concrete foundation.[8] The concrete footings were kept hidden behind a fence when the park opened for the 2002 season.[9] In August 2002, an informal announcement from Cedar Point confirmed the park was building a new ride for the 2003 season.[10] Track pieces identified as Intamin were previously spotted near Mean Streak.[10] Vertical construction by Martin & Vleminckx[11] began in the fall of 2002, months before the formal announcement.[12] By October, the roller coaster had reached 200 feet (61 m) in height,[13] and the highest peak was topped off in December.[14] To construct the roller coaster, the park used five cranes, two of which were 480-foot (150 m) tall. At the time, only four such cranes in the United States were tall enough to handle construction of the 420-foot tower section.[15] An official announcement revealing details on the new ride was made the following month on January 9, 2003.[12] Officials for the park stated the goal was to build "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth", reaching 420 feet (130 m) in height and accelerating up to 120 mph (190 km/h) in 4 seconds. The large investment tied it with Millennium Force as being the most expensive in park history.[12] The structure was built by Intamin's subcontractor Stakotra,[16] and was completed shortly after the announcement.[citation needed] In March 2003, Cedar Fair registered a trademark for the name "Top Thrill Dragster".[17]

Top Thrill Dragster's media day was held on May 1, 2003,[18] and it officially opened to the public three days later.[19] It became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, overtaking the height record from Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land, built three years earlier, and the speed record from Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland, which opened in late 2001. It lost both records to Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in May 2005. Intamin designed both Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, and the two share a similar design and layout that differs primarily by theme and an additional hill featured on Kingda Ka.[20]

Shortly after it opened, a faulty valve on the hydraulic system caused a short-term closure.[21] The ride continued to experience a variety of issues dealing with its hydraulic system and launch cable, which frequently led to downtime early on in its tenure.[21]

During the 2017 season's opening weekend, Cedar Point temporarily renamed the ride "Top Thrill Cubster", referencing a lost wager with Six Flags Great America over the World Series.[22] In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, timed boarding passes called "Access Passes" were used temporarily to comply with social distancing guidelines.[23] However, these are no longer required as of the 2021 season.

Ride experience[]

Layout[]

Top Thrill Dragster's launch area with the "Christmas tree"

After leaving the station, the train enters the launch area. To the left of the launch area is a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. A brief message is played to the riders before the launch: "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train is prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect is played and its magnetic braking fins are lowered from the launch track. It then launches, accelerating to a speed of 120 mph (190 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the catch car disengages, and the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the 420-foot (130 m) top hat. Upon descending, the track twists 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes.[6][19]

Station, theme, and trains[]

The roller coaster is themed to Top Fuel drag racing, a category of motor racing that involves the world's fastest accelerating cars. An actual Top Fuel dragster weighs approximately one ton, while each train on the coaster weighs 15 tons.[12] Originally, the design called for five cars on each train, but when the ride first opened, there were only four.[19] A fifth car was added to each by midseason.[19][24] Each dragster-themed train was also decorated with a spoiler, a set of tires, and an engine at the rear of each train, but these were removed after the fifth car was added to allow an extra row of seats to take their place.[19][24][25] Each train is painted in a different color: Red, blue, purple, orange, maroon or green.

Rollbacks[]

Occasionally, a train is launched without sufficient speed to reach the top of the tower and rolls back onto the launch track, hence the term "rollback". This typically happens in cool, wet, or breezy weather, or when the wind is working against it. The launch track is equipped with retractable magnetic braking fins which are raised after each launch in order to slow the train down in case it does not reach the top of the tower.[26]

On very rare occasions, a combination of the weight distribution of the train, the force of the launch, and the wind can stall a train on the top of the tower. When this happens, a mechanic takes the elevator to the top and pushes the train down the hill.[27]

World records[]

Side view of Top Thrill Dragster

When Top Thrill Dragster debuted, it set four new records:

  • World's tallest complete circuit roller coaster
  • World's tallest roller coaster
  • World's tallest roller coaster drop
  • World's fastest roller coaster

It became the fastest roller coaster in the world with a maximum speed of 120 mph (190 km/h). It was the fourth roller coaster to exceed 100 mph (160 km/h), preceded by Tower of Terror II at Dreamworld, Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland. Dodonpa held the record previously with a top speed of 107 mph (172 km/h). Top Thrill Dragster also broke the height record, standing at 420 feet (130 m), which was previously held by Superman: Escape from Krypton at 415 feet (126 m). Kingda Ka opened two years later at Six Flags Great Adventure and broke both of Top Thrill Dragster's records, boasting a height of 456 feet (139 m) and a top speed of 128 miles per hour (206 km/h). The speed record was again broken in 2010 by Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, which reaches a maximum speed of 149.1 mph (240.0 km/h).[2]

As of 2021, Top Thrill Dragster has the second tallest height, the third fastest speed, and the second-highest drop among steel roller coasters in the world.[28][29][30]

Incidents[]

On July 14, 2004, four people were struck by flying debris while riding the coaster. Reports indicated that a metal cable frayed during launch, shearing off shards of metal that struck the riders. The injuries were mainly arm abrasions, with one passenger experiencing cuts to the face. They were treated at the park's first aid station, and two later sought further medical attention.[21]

On August 7, 2016, two people were treated for minor injuries when the launch cable detached from the ride. The ride was closed for the following day while the park and Ohio state officials investigated the incident.[31]

In September 2017, a report with photos surfaced that the braking system on the launch side of the track may have been damaged, causing the ride to close indefinitely. Cedar Point did not acknowledge the incident and stated the closure was for maintenance reasons.[32]

On August 15, 2021, a guest waiting in line was struck by a small metal piece that dislodged from a train as it was nearing the end of its run.[33] Described as a "serious accident",[34] the guest was taken to a nearby hospital, with no indication on the severity of the injury.[33] Cedar Point announced that the coaster would be closed for the remainder of the season.[34] The piece was later determined to be a flag plate – an L-shaped bracket that signals the train's location to sensors positioned along the track.[35] An investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) determined that half of the bolts securing the plate dislodged.[35] The ODA has mandated the closure of Top Thrill Dragster during the investigation and subsequent reinspections.[35]

Awards[]

Train on the brake run
Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Ranking 11[36] 7[37] 7[38] 10[39] 9[40] 9[41] 10[42] 10[43] 9[44] 13[45] 12[46] 19[47] 13[48] 19[49] 17[50] 16[51] 21[52]

Records[]

Preceded by World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster
May 4, 2003 – May 21, 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by World's Tallest Roller Coaster
May 4, 2003 – May 21, 2005
Preceded by
Dodonpa
 World's Fastest Roller Coaster
May 4, 2003 – May 21, 2005

References[]

  1. ^ "Rider Height Requirements". Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Top Thrill Dragster records". Archived from the original on June 25, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  3. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster: Race for the Sky | Cedar Point". www.cedarpoint.com. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "Kingda Ka vs. Top Thrill Dragster". thecoastercritic.com. November 16, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  5. ^ "Hydraulic launched roller coasters at RCDB". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Top Thrill Dragster POV". 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  7. ^ Smith, Matthew (May 3, 2003). "New Cedar Point coaster is a top-speed 'Dragster'". Post-Gazette. Sandusky, Ohio: PG Publishing Co., Inc. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  8. ^ Hyde, Andrew. "How to Build A Giant Quietly? Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster Media Story". CP Food Blog. CPFoodBlog and InACents Web Creations, LLC. Retrieved July 19, 2001.
  9. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster". emporis.com. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Cedar Point To Build Major New Thrill Ride For 2003 Season". Ultimate Rollercoaster.
  11. ^ "Intamin". Martin & Vleminckx. Archived from the original on November 25, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d "Top Thrill Dragster TV announcement". 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  13. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster 200 foot support". CoasterGallery.com. 2002. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  14. ^ Schmidt, Walt (December 17, 2002). "New ride topped off". PointBuzz. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  15. ^ Higgins, Amy (May 8, 2003). "The coaster with the moster". Machine Design. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  16. ^ Stakotra
  17. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster Trademark". Legal Force. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  18. ^ "PointBuzz history". PointBuzz. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c d e Marden, Duane. "Top Thrill Dragster  (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  20. ^ "Kingda Ka vs. Top Thrill Dragster". thecoastercritic.com. July 18, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  21. ^ a b c "July 14, 2004 incident". Toledo Blade. July 14, 2004. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  22. ^ "Cedar Point makes good on its bet with 'Top Thrill Cubster' in honor of Chicago Cubs' World Series win over Indians (Video)". May 6, 2017.
  23. ^ Glaser, Susan (July 8, 2020). "Cedar Point opening day preview: Face masks, social distancing, HalloWeekends and more". cleveland.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Top Thrill Dragster old trains". CoasterGallery.com. 2003. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  25. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster images at RCDB". Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  26. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster rollback review". Thrill Network. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  27. ^ "Top Thrill Dragster elevator". CoasterGallery.com. 2008. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  28. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Height, Type: Steel)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  29. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Speed, Type: Steel)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  30. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Statistic: Drop, Type: Steel)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  31. ^ "August, 7th 2016 incident". CBS Detroit. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  32. ^ DeRoos, Dan (September 29, 2017). "Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster still closed, undergoing maintenance". WOIO. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  33. ^ a b "Roller coaster part falls, hits guest". Sandusky Register. August 15, 2021. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  34. ^ a b Glaser, Susan (August 19, 2021). "Cedar Point says Top Thrill Dragster, involved in serious accident, will remain closed for 2021". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  35. ^ a b c Mosca, Zach (August 23, 2021). "ODA provides update on Top Thrill Dragster incident". Youngstown, Ohio: WFMJ.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
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  38. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 26–27B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  39. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 26–27B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
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  42. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 32–33. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  43. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 34–35. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
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  45. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 36–37. September 2012.
  46. ^ "2013 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 34–35. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  47. ^ "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014.
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  52. ^ "2019 Top Steel". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019.

External links[]

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