Beech Bend

I don't think anyone posted the information that is confirmed about the coaster...It will have an aeroplane like first drop according to GCI...Also, they have a rendering of the coaster going over seas...

I think that someone has mentioned it before.

I'd hope that GCI does it good again, Thunderhead was a huge hit, so I wouldn't mind seeing another great woodie closer to home :)

The one overseas is going to Power Park in Finland.

Everyone needs to wait for Beech Bend to release more information about the coaster first. Once Beech Bends releases more info we will see more about it!

As for the coaster going in a Power Park the layout it going to resemble the boardwalk coasters of the 20's and 30's style like the CI Cyclone & Tornado and the Santa Cruz and Belmont Park Dippers.

CP, I know you don't have a hand in the design and I like the twisters that GCI does but I also love the old style figure eight type coaster like the Cyclone, Pheonix and others. I hope they have some designs like that up their sleeve. I can't say I've ridden a bad GCI and I love LR and Thunderhead. Im just thinking the Surprise elements some of the old coasters gave could be incorporated.

Best wishes to GCI.

Chuck

I love Ozark Wildcat & especially Thunderhead. I'm extremely excited about this coaster since it will be the closest GCI to Indiana. My expectations are naturally very high after riding my first two GCIs.

I think it will be creative, very cool looking, twisty and curvy. It would be nice to have a couple tunnels also. I can't image GCI taking a step backward, I'll think they'll push ahead with an innovative design and build a wonderful coaster.

I'd like to see a multi-level design like the Rye Airplane.

The Power Park coaster looks absolutely stunning... I not only see quite a bit of GCII's earlier designs in there but also some Schmeck, Allen, Cobb and- dare I say it?- CCI too. Knowing the guys at GCII, the two 2006 coasters will not disappoint. Nice to see the once-quiet company so active lately!

From the GCII site...

"Also in the Spring of 2006, Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky will unveil Kentucky’s most twisted wooden roller coaster. The new wooden coaster will offer an incredible collection of high-speed curves, banks, swoops, twists, hops, drops and all-around thrills that will satisfy even the most experienced coaster fans. An Aeroplane-style first drop and a completely integrated station design are just two of the exciting and unique elements that will make this ride a destination for families and enthusiasts alike. Specific details will be released as the project progresses."

Beech Bend has updated their site (from Jan. 26) with info on the spinny mouse + stock photo. They're adding tin lizzie cars this year too.

I'm really happy to see BB becoming more like it was back in the day. (especially since it's only 30 miles from me :)) I only got to go there one time when it was in it's big hay-day and I remember having a lot of fun but can't remember too many specifics. The park sat virtually empty (sans raceway) for such a long time that it seemed like a shame all that good land and potential going to waste. I say good for Beech Bend and to hello with SFKK. I'm tired of waiting around for improvements that are miniscule at best. (btw....that was MHO FWIW)

I can only hope the Beech Bend coaster will have an Rye Aeroplane style first drop. Anyone that has studied photos of this classic can clearly see the once that coaster left the chain, there was NO rise before dropping. It was all downhill into the drop. Too many coasters that do 180's after the chain release, are slowed by a slight rise before the drop. GCI's Ozark Wildcat had been described as having an Aeroplane style first drop but it is slowed down by a slight rise before the drop. The Hurler's are another example. I hope GCI does a "true" style Aeroplane drop.

The fact that the Aeroplane suffered no loss of speed before diving into the first drop may be one of the reasons why the coaster died way before its time. I remember reading somewhere that the ride was a maintenance nightmare and it could have been features like that which made it so. Since GCII rides are the complete opposite, I'd imagine that changes would be made to prevent the ride from tearing itself apart.

Whatever GCII ends up doing with that drop, I'm sure it will be exceptional.