Colossus and its double tracks

Do they ever let the two trains race? Everytime I see it on tv, it only runs one train. Is it a racing coaster? Did they race when it first opened?

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"The opposite of war isn't peace, its creation," Rent.

Yes it did race when it opened, but now the only time it races is just by chance, never on purpose. On the plus side, this makes the ride full of activity if they are running both tracks as there are trains here and there all over the structure. But it would be nice to race again.

The funny thing was on the Travel Channel show tonight, the PR person called it a racing coaster and then you could see the pained look on her face when she tried to describe it further. I could almost read her mind saying "Oh oh..shouldn't have used the word RACING, now how do I get out of this?!!"

I definitely recall the on-ride rider saying "they CAN operate both sides to create a nice racing effect". It would've been a small added bonus for the Con....but it seems they run one side one day, the opposite side the next.....

I like the backwards side when they did that in October....but I *think* I recall there being a stated reason as to why they don't race them anymore....with just a small amount of re-tracking, it COULD become a really solid woodie again, in a park that REALLY needs one....

Yeah, if they would run one side forward and one side backward all of the time, it would be fantastic. They DO race it that way for Fright Fest like rollergator mentioned. Racing and going backward makes this ride 100% better. The otherwise slow and boaring turnarounds are fun again as the other train catches up and passes the other.

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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!

Not to get off topic but I don't understand the complaint about the "slow and boring" turnarounds. The first two turns are designed that way to build up anticipation for the drops that follow. Same on CP's Gemini and KW's Racer. I've ridden Colossus every year since opening and the difference in speed in those turns is hardly noticable [IMHO]. The only turn that is dramatically slower is the third turn now that trains are braked on the midcourse.

My biggest problem w/ Colossus, which I still find to be totally enjoyable and a lot of fun, is the trains. I'd love to see something heavier, like PTCs, run on it.

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I found the slow turnarounds to be the downfall of the ride. It kept no momentum or pace as it was basically drop after drop with boring turnarounds inbetween. However I realize that it would be an amazing ride if it raced because as Soggy pointed out the whole racing factor would make the turnarounds alot of fun as you see who's beating who and taunting the other train.

Andrew, who notes that Racer backwards at PKI would be loads of fun even if it didn't race.

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"I live my life a quarter mile at a time. For those ten seconds or less, I'm free." Vin Diesel- The Fast and The Furious

Mamoosh, I understand your point about "building anticipation," but it just doesn't work for me. I like the drops on Colossus, they are the best part. But I guess I have gotten spoiled with the dipping turns of CCI, and the fast unbanked turns like on Phoenix and Thunderbolt. I just find myself trying to stay awake on Colossus' turns. I'd rather be experiencing a thrilling moment, than anticipating one.

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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!