Rebel Yell is now Racer 75 at Kings Dominion

Yeah, it'll always be Rebel Yell to me. Just like whatever the junior woodie is called now will always be Scooby-Doo.

Not sure what to think about why the name was changed, but the timing seems more than just coincidental with all the Confederate statues under fire. But whatever.

Oh, and Apple Zapple? Ugh. Ricochet was just fine...

I thought it was a Billy Idol tribute, which I think was about whiskey. But yeah, the phrase otherwise has a lot of historical baggage.

I don't know. I'm generally supportive of removing Confederate statues that were largely erected to intimidate. This, though, feels like a stretch to me.

I think the timing is a bit suspect, however, as we know rides get renamed often. Because of when I was introduced to it I will always call the Woodstock Express at KI The Beastie no matter what they name it. I have a feeling there is a large part of the coaster riding population that will do the same and continue to call this ride Rebel Yell. It is what it is. Life is way to short to be bothered by trivial things.

I'd love to know how many people the name offended before this decade. I'd wager it was close to zero. The over-sensitivity of people these days is crazy.*

ldiesman's last sentence is truth.

*I mean "mentally unbalanced." Sorry about that.

As with any other change these days... feel free to sign a change.org petition against the change that won't do anything but make you feel validated in how you feel.

*pats hand on back 'There. There'

A P P L E Z A P P L E

I think Apple Zapple is the attempt to pull Ricochet into Candy Apple Grove, which thematically is extending to the former WW area. Nothing at that end of the park has made a whole lot of sense for a while, so maybe the “new” area will be nice.

As for Racer 75, I think all the crying is pretty funny. Rebel Yell was a good name, in fact one of my coaster favorites, but I’m pretty sure the corp. is trying to eliminate any reference to things that are “wrong” with the south. And that’s fair. So be it.
Racer 75 doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue, though. And my hope that the structure and station get a refresh with some new paint at least.

Growing up in Richmond in the 80's, KD was my home park for about 20 years. Rebel Yell was my first big coaster when I outgrew Scooby Doo, I was so excited the summer I was finally tall enough to ride. (BTW as a point of history, back then KD used to use "ticket books" with tiered coupons like the famous "E" tickets that Disney had.) Of course as kids we didn't think twice about the name, but as I got older I started to realize it was pretty strange that they were holding onto the name. I worked at the park for a few years in the 90's and we discussed it amongst ourselves back then.We knew it was not OK.
The phrase "Rebel Yell" has a distinct meaning in Civil War history, specifically related to warfare. This is from Wikipedia.
"The rebel yell was a morale, although the yell had many other uses."

My only issue with this decision is the way the park is dancing around it.

"The amusement park said the new name gives recognition to ACE, the American Coaster Enthusiasts, (rACEr) which was founded in 1978 after a roller-coaster-riding event on the Rebel Yell."

Claiming that it is called "Racer 75" after a group that organized after an event in 1978 is nonsensical. As we all know they just renamed it after its sister coaster in Ohio.
At any rate, it's the right choice at the right time. Complaining about it "because that's how it's been" does not hold water and defends the indefensible. Let's keep the ugly parts of history in our history books.

I tend to agree with the side that cries oversensitivity.

However, I'm not unreasonable. I get it. And in this case especially, "Meh. No biggie."

But then I read this...

ThemeDesigner said:

Complaining about it "because that's how it's been" does not hold water and defends the indefensible.

...and then I'm suddenly pushed back onto the "Oh, Jesus Christ!" side again.

Indefensible? Really? The name "Rebel Yell" for a roller coaster is an indefensible action?

If the name "Rebel Yell" is truly offensive and hurtful to anyone - not just feigned outrage, not just "doing the right thing" - but honest-to-goodness hurtful, affective on a real every day level sort of pain and hate and anger, then, well...I guess my white privilege is showing because I just don't see it on this one.

Smart business move? Probably, given the tone of the time. Something that matters in the big picture of things? Not really. Change it all day long. But indefensible action to leave it? Puh-leeze!

With all of that said, my indifference to the change would also be the same indifference if they left it. I think in talking this out, I've become aware that it's the actions and words that lead up to little changes like this that feel more misguided than the changes themselves.

ldiesman said:

Life is way to short to be bothered by trivial things.

Indeed. And I think that goes both ways on this one...and in this case they changed it. *shrug*

I'm gonna go listen to Billy Idol, drink some bourbon and play the first campaign in Starcraft now. (I also looked at Wikipedia)

Also, I'm sure everyone googling Rebel Yell came across it, but go watch this video - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/history/what-did-the...ound-like/

Oh my God. I'm dying. A bunch of old men squealing at each other and cheering. It's sad and funny and completely irrelevant even back then. Don't give it any power. Don't legitimize the stupidity.

Rebel Yell - it's a ridiculous relic of losers that holds no power in 21st century America...unless we let it.

Had half a reply typed up, got sidetracked at work, then Gonch steps in with a better, more thorough response that I can't even expand on.

Nothing to add except "ditto."

Edit: I lied. I will add that, other than my own nostalgia, I'm not really bothered by the name change. It's just weird that after 42 years of being called "Rebel Yell," suddenly it's not anymore.

How 'bout "Roller Coaster 1".

Terrible idea to change the name. Rebel Yell was a good name for this coaster and I never associated it with anything outside the coaster but it would appear that I'm in the vast minority. I've just never thought much about the names given to coasters b/c what interests me is the coaster itself. Many of the names are meaningless to me - like what on earth does Montu mean? - and of those that do have some meaning, it's of little import. Do I think of bulls or bull fighting when I ride El Toro? Hell, no!

Lord Gonchar said:

Also, I'm sure everyone googling Rebel Yell came across it, but go watch this video - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/history/what-did-the...ound-like/

Oh my God. I'm dying. A bunch of old men squealing at each other and cheering. It's sad and funny and completely irrelevant even back then. Don't give it any power. Don't legitimize the stupidity.

Rebel Yell - it's a ridiculous relic of losers that holds no power in 21st century America...unless we let it.

Reminds me of baby coon hounds trying to howl. Cute, not intimidating at all. I would rename the coaster to something more fierce based on this evidence alone. lol

Score is: Billy Idol Rebel Yell ~ 1, Civil War Veterans Rebel Yell ~ 0

I always thought it sounded like “YEE-HAAWwwww”. (Pitch and timbre subject to interpretation).

I think we all know what it is; a proactive move by the park to simply make sure that something like a protest (however one feels about the grounds it would be based on) or bad press doesn't get associated with the park. Just in case.

But I also see the flip-side. By changing the name, aren't we suddenly drawing attention to something none of us would have given attention to? Gonch has a point; why even give it credence?

My only thinking is that there is a bit more background to this, which most likely includes PR and legal advice. And for all we know, there could have been some rumblings...emails/letters to the park...that instigated the discussion.

All that said, I rode Racer 75 for the first time last year....right after our "beer allowed on the Ferris wheel" experience (see trip report)...and I was pleasantly surprised at how well maintained this coaster was. Can't wait to take another spin this July...I want more, more more....

I get the whole preemptive thing. South = Bad, right? (EDIT: Sarcasm) Probably a smart move as others have stated above, but I don't think they could have chosen a more boring name. I suppose I shouldn't complain. A lesser chain would have probably just re-named it Harley Quinn's Spinsanity.

As for Ricochet, well that's easy. It's what bullets do. Guns = Bad, right? Apple Zapple? I'm not sure I get the meaning, perhaps they let Capri Sun name it? But I suppose I shouldn't complain. A lesser chain would have probably just re-named it Harley Quinn's Spinsanity.

The south isn't bad, slavery and defending it is bad. History has been pretty clear about that.

As someone who doesn't have a lot of history with the park or the coaster, I didn't know/remember that Rebel Yell was a racing coaster. Calling it Racer pretty much clears that up for those who aren't regulars to the park.

I know that's not the reason they did it, but Racer seems like a good name for an old racing woodie to me.