Big Dipper at SFWoA - CoasterBuzz

Why did ACE drop Blue Streak as an ACE classic yet Big Dipper is still one at Six Flags. Didn't it get completely overhauled?

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Go Full Force

Big Dipper still has one rachet lap bars.
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CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

Also Blue Streak has headrests and a computer controlled station.

Jman

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Jman
Webmaster: Gravibulb Coasters - Home of Professional Quality Coaster Photos
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Jman...

So does Big Dipper.

The big difference is that Blue Streak has ratcheting lap bars and seat dividers, Big Dipper does not.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

The ACE Coaster Classic designation requires 1) No seat dividers 2) A single non-ratcheting lap bar 3) the ability to choose your seat 4) no headrests. The requirements are in the train and seating policy. Computer controls are not considered.

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Scott W. Short
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

Wouldn't, say a Mine Ride fit into this category ;).

Actually, Tim forgot one requirement, the coaster has to be wood-tracked. But *I* thought everyone knew that anyway.

The "ACE Coaster Classic" moniker is a bunch of garbage anyway. Why you ask? Because according to "their" rules, Kennywood's Jack Rabbit is NOT an ACC. Mularky!
ciao,
moi
--obviously NOT a card carrying ACE member

I have to agree with Jeremy on this one. Jackrabbit should be disqualified under "the rules" because this past season riders weren't allowed to select their own seats -- it was back-to-front only. Surely nobody would actually believe that Jackrabbit ISN'T a "classic"!

Some of the qualifications make sense. Clearly the modified Blue Streak at Cedar Point isn't the same ride it once was. I love the ride, but PERSONALLY don't consider it a "classic" because I have strong dislikes about the newer trains. Put the buzz bars back and remove those headrests, and it's a MUCH better ride. But that's more a personal opinion than some odd set of rules, in this case they just happen to coincide :)

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--Greg
"Beat the rush, sign up for your post-Mean Streak MRI now..."
My page My other page And my coaster page

I guess the issue of safety has become predominent.
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Go Full Force

Is the seating on Jack Rabbit usually "back to front?" Both times I went to Kenywood this summer it was a "free for all."

I don't get it. What kind of effect do head rests have on the Blue Streak?

GregLeg, I don't really think it's JUST you. I don't know about the GP, but ALL the enthusiasts I've talked to prefer the buzz bars...selecting you're own seat, no seat dividers make absolute sense to me in determining a "classic". The headrests, sure they're annoying as anything, and they do obstruct your view, but to me they don't affect the ride as significantly...
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the buzzer formerly known as gatorwoodie
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

The only effect I can see that the Blue Streak head rests have is blocking the view of everyone behind the second seat.

The seat dividers are a biggun in my book, as I enjoy smashing in to my wife around corners.

Individual ratcheting lap bars are useless on a ride like Blue Streak. My God, no ride has a more violent air moment than the Jack Rabbit, and an old leather strap does just fine for that ride. All the IRL's do is restrict what airtime you do get on this ride, especially when you're "pinned" by a devious crew member.

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"Reality" is the only word in the language which should always be used in quotes.

Once again I must go against the grain. I personally *like* some sort of individual restraint (be it a lap bar or a seat belt). AND I like the seat dividers as well (though even *I* could do without the headrests).

However, I 'think' I know why *I* have no problem with indiv restraints. You see, I'm smallish (well slim anyway) and I like my restraints to *fit* (as, I would argue, most of the so-called GP do). I've noticed that many that have issues with them are fat-arsed and thus the restraints get confining. Unfortuneatly, there isnt really a good way to fit both extremes so we get what we get. At least with the IRs you can ride alone :).
ciao,
moi

Hostility - I'm with you on this one, except for the opposite reason. I used to be a devotee of the "buzz bars" for nostalgic/historic reasons, but recently have changed my tune. Being one of the fatties, I've found that I can actually have more room with the individual ratcheting lap bars than on the trains with the buzz bars. An individual ratcheting bar on two or three clicks is way more roomy than a buzz bar for me.

Now let's give it up for Bob Rohrman.

*** This post was edited by chris on 11/29/2001. ***

I've got a friend from Sandusky, and as far as the GP and Blue Streak go, he finds the ride "safe" now, as oppose to "when you used to feel like you were falling out". Words that hurt me, to say the least.

I have a preference for the one bar, the air can be frightening. The double single bars, can be good, if you leave them up too far, IMO, but seat dividers I like. Rides with the individual ratchet bars, like the GaCyclone, give less reliable air situations. Sometimes it's there, sometimes you wish the bar was up a foot.