Have you ever taken a ride on this baby (ooer)? Kinda makes me want to visit Ohio.
http://shrike.webchimps.com/TopThrillDragster.pps
All I could think was holy f*ck :evilgrin:
You folks from Ohio
Yes. And its insane.
Went there last year. Now I'm not a roller coaster person. My girlfriend is. And like a sucker, I'll do anything for love. I haven't ridden a coaster since I was 8 or so. The first thing we do? Top Thrill Dragster (its not too far from the park entrance).
The line can get long. Our wait was maybe 30-45 minutes but it felt a lot longer. We found a seat in the middle of the ride. It doesn't feel like there's much holding you in. There's this T bar thing that folds over your lap and goes between your legs and there's a 1 inch lap belt as backup. And that's about it. There's also not much to hold on to. I spent a good 5 minutes looking for something that was within easy reach to grip for dear life and didn't find much.
I don't drag race, but I do autocross in northeast Ohio. And the ride pulls up to a set of lights. You watch the lights and you hear engine revving (I think the ride vibrates too - or maybe that part was in my head). The green light lights up and the ride rolls back just a little and then takes off (this part had me pretty stoked). It just keeps pulling and pulling and pulling.
They take a picture of you right around this moment. I should have bought the picture with me in it - you could see me yelling "oh sh!t!"
The ride goes up and I remember having to concentrate and work very hard to move my head back into the headrest and out of my lap. At the top, things slow down quite a bit. Now I'll admit, from the point after I yelled to the point we hit the top I had my eyes closed. I'm not a fan of heights. But at the top you do get a nice view of the park, Lake Erie, and if you look carefully, you can see the islands (Put-N-Bay and Kelley's).
Then you go straight down and that part of the ride I really enjoyed. You have a moment where all you're doing is looking straight down. You see the track going straight down. You see a small pond that reminds you how high up you are. Then you're pushed back in your seat as the ride accelerates down and you get some nice G-s as the ride returns horizontal and then starts braking.
Its over very quick (~28 seconds or so?). With the wind and the speed, I found my eyes had teared up and the tears actually ran horizontally back to my ears (this is a good time to look around and you'll see everyone else has the same problem).
What makes it a bit more exciting is the ride is down for maintenance pretty often.
I'm pretty sure I don't have the stomach to ride it again although my girlfriend does. I did ride Millenium Force right after TTD and found it very enjoyable - although I'm not a fan of going up the first hill. But going down that hill reminded me of going down TTD, just a little less travel time going down and not as steep. After those two coasters, I took a break from coaster riding.
Here's one of my favorites: Twister II . It's an old fashioned wooden coaster in Denver, where I used to live. Quite a nice one.
Here's a better image
Man, haven't been to Cedar Point in years. All we've got down here is Kings Island, and it's getting pretty tired.
Originally posted by AstroTeg
I don't drag race, but I do autocross in northeast Ohio.
What do you run up there? /me has been to a handful down here, ... it's pretty lonely down here this year in D Stock.
That is one fast roller coaster. I don't like anything that hits triple digit speeds. Including planes so I only fly if I have to. (which seems to be a lot lately)
I used to road and drag race back in my youth. I then totaled my beloved car and now drive a four door. :queasy:
Favorite roller coasters: Thunder Mountain Express and Matterhorn at Disneyland.
Least favorite: Boomerang at Knott's Berry Farm
Originally posted by goldbug
Man, haven't been to Cedar Point in years. All we've got down here is Kings Island, and it's getting pretty tired.
What do you run up there? /me has been to a handful down here, ... it's pretty lonely down here this year in D Stock.
I've flown over Kings Island but never went there (kinda hard when I'm about a good hour from Cedar Point and 30 minutes from Geauga Lake).
I run a '95 Acura Integra GS-R. Originally in GS, then put some parts and moved to STS, put some more parts on and moved to DSP and get smacked down by race ready 2.5RS Imprezas. This year I plan to move back to STS where I was competitive with fellow GS-R owners. I run with ASCC, NORA, and have run with Neohio SCCA. Pavement has been a problem but it looks like we have a season this year (Neohio's is still up in the air from the looks of it). I'm also manage all 3 sites. If you're still racing, let me know when you come out and I'll make a point to be there...
Originally posted by AstroTeg
If you're still racing, let me know when you come out and I'll make a point to be there...
You'll drive all the way to cinci? 
I'm personally only going to run maybe once or twice more this season (coworker might drive those events in my car as well), mostly because I don't want to destroy my stock tires. Not really enough money surplus to get dedicated autox tires this year--and when I do, it's a class-changing decision (not much in the way of affordable 18" stickies in order for me to stay in stock...will probably drop down to wide 17"s and get creamed in one of the ST* classes).
I've autox-ed in Columbus, but that's as far south as I've been. A trip to Columbus wouldn't be out of the question. Depends on when...
What are you running to have 18"s? I'm in the same boat - need to get tires. I still have winter tires on my car (worked out great for this last weekend). My summer tires lasted 2 seasons and are now toast and I'm not sure if I want to get another dedicated set of summer tires or get something more all season flavored.
Originally posted by AstroTeg
What are you running to have 18"s?
Running a '04 VW Golf R32. OEM rubber came as 225/40-18 GY Eagle F1 GS-D3. Not bad, but definitely not Kumhos or Hoosiers.
Originally posted by Shrike
Have you ever taken a ride on this baby (ooer)? Kinda makes me want to visit Ohio.
http://shrike.webchimps.com/TopThrillDragster.pps
All I could think was holy f*ck :evilgrin:
I've only been to Cedar Point once, when my husband and I were dating - he's from Cleveland so we have a huge CP/KI (cedar point/kings island) debate running... he made me sit in the front seat of that damn magnum (which is apparently nothing compared to the dragster) - and I barfed everywhere. :rolleyes:
Consequently, I think I'd be thinking something worse than "holy f*ck".
We will be most likely road tripping up there though - we've wanted to go back for a long time.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
Consequently, I think I'd be thinking something worse than "holy f*ck".
I was thinking that the ENTIRE time while standing in line. What happens is the line forms up in the center of the U part of the ride (actually, its O shaped, but all the action takes place on the U part). So you're watching every single ride that leaves the station and then comes back in (and rather close too). You get to listen to the nice doppler effect with the screams.
Honestly, it was a year ago and my palms STILL sweat just THINKING about that ride. Oh yeah, word is ride doesn't always make it over the top hill. I guess sometimes it'll roll backwards. I haven't seen it, but they make an announcement at the ride about it.
5 days later
Actually, I enjoy King's Island. Yes, parts of the park get old, but it's still got a few classic rides. The Beast is one of my all-time favorite rides.
I haven't yet been to Cedar Point, but I'd love to make a trip up there some time and ride the coasters.
Originally posted by BuzzLY
Actually, I enjoy King's Island. Yes, parts of the park get old, but it's still got a few classic rides. The Beast is one of my all-time favorite rides.
I'm actually liking the "newer" rides they've got there. Delerium is rather enjoyable, and Drop Zone is always good. However, I found out the hard way that I am too big to comfortably ride Son of Beast (actually had visible bruising on my elbows from them hitting the restraint bars and car walls)
Originally posted by BuzzLY
Actually, I enjoy King's Island. Yes, parts of the park get old, but it's still got a few classic rides. The Beast is one of my all-time favorite rides.
I haven't yet been to Cedar Point, but I'd love to make a trip up there some time and ride the coasters.
Maybe we should meet up with AstroTeg and any other PHPbuilders out there for a PHPCon-Cedar Point! 
Originally posted by Elizabeth
Maybe we should meet up with AstroTeg and any other PHPbuilders out there for a PHPCon-Cedar Point!
That would be cool...
It looks like regular tickets are $45 and parking appears to be $9 (yikes!). For those thinking of saving a buck and have AAA, you can order tickets online for $30 through AAA.
Does seem to come a pale second to that one... although the first vertical drop roller coaster was a blast..... (Oblivion) as well as The Black Hole..... those people that got out at the top thinking it was finished and dropped to the bottom and died.... !!!
Whoops...
Originally posted by The Chancer
The Black Hole..... those people that got out at the top thinking it was finished and dropped to the bottom and died.... !!!
Whoops...
What?! I don't think I remember hearing about that one.
That is my absolute worst nightmare - to be stuck on a rollercoaster at the top and have to walk down. Ok, that, and tornadoes, which I have an unhealthy aversion towards.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
That is my absolute worst nightmare - to be stuck on a rollercoaster at the top and have to walk down.
This is something that happens on Top Thrill Dragster (it'll get stuck at the top). I don't know how often though. Occassionally it'll make the local news.
I managed to drop my keys out of my pocket on the Oblivion and the ride had to be stopped for 10mins until they managed to get them out !!! Whoops.... Guess thats why they say "Make sure all your belongings are secured" huh ?