Sfwoa Ace Classic - CoasterBuzz

I was just on the Ace Coaster Classic site and I went through the list to find that Sfwoa's Big Dipper is the only Ace Classic Coaster from a Six Flags Park. I know Geauga Lake was around a lonnnng time before Six Flags barged in but Sfwoa could label itself now.

"The only Six Flags park with an Ace Classic"

I don't think the gp would know what the hell was going on but oh well. Just thought any Sfwoa fan like myself wanted to know.

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Top 5:
5) Magnum 4) Raptor 3) Apollos Chariot 2) S:ros Sfdl
1) Millennium Force

Big Dipper was one of my favorite rides at SFWoA when I visited. I love how neat ACE Coaster Classics are. They're fun to ride. I know SFWoA could have 2 coaster classics if Raging Wolf Bobs had bench seats with no dividers in the seats. interesting wnough your right about Big Dipper being the only SF Ace Coaster Classic. You should check out some wooden roller coaster and see how close they are (if at all) from being an ACE Coaster Classic.

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Chris Knight
CP Sea Gull population 1,000,000
CP Mufflehead population 1,000,000,000

Yeah I thought it was pretty kool. I was sort of upset though when i scrolled down to find that Blue Streak at Cp isn't a classic anymore. Does this mean that they didn't have single lap bars before. I wish that were the case, then Blue Streak would probably as good if not better than The Big Dipper

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Top 5:
5)S:ros Sfdl 4)Raptor 3)Apollos Chariot 2)Magnum 1)Millennium Force

CP's Blue Streak used to have buzzbars (one bar over both riders) with no seatbelts or seat dividers. Also, they might have replaced the lever operated skid brakes with squeeze brakes. I forget.
It was great back in the day, but still not as insane as Big Dipper is. The airtime in the back seat on Big Dipper is just out of control. It's so sudden and violent. I love it.
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-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden -- #1 Shivering Timbers
Just say no to Gerstlauer!

I had my first ride on Big Dipper last year on my first coaster trip. I expected it to be like Blue Streak... AMAZING. So I headed for the back seat. Being my second ACE coaster classic I was really excited. Let me say WOW. This ride had my just about crying. I was scared because of the airtime and how powerful it was. I ended up tieing myself to the one place lap bar using my sweat shirt. I had to riding it again and again after that. Don't under estimate this ride! It has AIR! (almost as much as Jack Rabbit @ KW)

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www.EverythingRollerCoaster.com
~Santa Cruz Trip Report just added with lots of pix!

This actually has brewed controversy. Some people say that it is no longer a classic because they no longer operate the brakes by hand.

I don't think that is a requirement, but maybe it is. I do not know.

I don't understand why they would want you to operate the brakes by hand, its really dangerous.

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Can we change the name of Top Gun to your mom so no one wants to ride your mom?

All they do is stop the ride. No biggie. They can be dangerous, but most manual brakes now are at small parks with one train operation anyway. I like the Yankee Cannonball's new method as I hear how it works (magnetic brakes in the brake run, manual in the station).

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
Woodencoaster.com

Big Dipper is NOT an ACE cioaster classic. An ACE coaster classic, needs to NOT have, seat dividers, seat belts, individual lap bars, and HEADRESTS!which Big Dipper has.

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Stop the lawyers, not the rides!

Sorry to burst you're little bubble but Big Dipper is an Ace Coaster classic...it is still listed on the site. Also, the skid brakes were kept to keep it an Ace coaster classic.

IMHO...I wish they would have gotten pinch brakes and just not worried about the Ace coaster classic status. The load times are horrible because of 1 train op and they have to manually align the train to the air gates and that never works out right.

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"Tea & Cake Or Death?-Eddie Izzard"~My No Limits Designs...http://coastergames.net/author.php?author=BKF%20Master

Heres a list of all ACE Classics, not to my surprise Big Dipper IS on there!

[url="http://rcdb.com/result.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&category=14" target="_blank">ACE CLASSICS

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I wish they were runnin both trains this year, what has been the problem so far, do they just not feel like running the other train cause of low crowds or is it actually down.

CoasterCrazyOne,

Big Dippers air is on pretty much every hill, and a good amount each hill for that matter. Kennywood's Jack Rabbit has barely any cept for the double dip. That part is insane. My favorite air from any coaster would definately be Jack Rabbit's double dip. The coaster really doesn't even have restraints, lol. All it has is seatbelts and a little bar you can hold onto in front of you if you feel the need. I bet if you calculated all the air from Big Dipper, and then that one spot on Jack Rabbit, they would be pretty close.

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Top 5:
5) S:ros Sfdl 4) Raptor 3) Apollos Chariot 2) Magnum 1) Millennium Force

RememberIdora said:
Big Dipper is NOT an ACE cioaster classic. An ACE coaster classic, needs to NOT have, seat dividers, seat belts, individual lap bars, and HEADRESTS!which Big Dipper has.
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Stop the lawyers, not the rides!

Are you thinking of the right Big Dipper? I don't recall seeing any headrests on those trains in any of the pics I've seen.

I hope SF hasn't added headrests to the trains recently. That would kill the ACE status they have now.

I wouldn't call Big Dipper's backs headrests, but rather, high seatbacks...yeah they're questionable, I agree, but whatever. Big Dipper still provides a classic ride, and that's all I care about!

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Area 51:
The Writing's On the Wall!
"Cedar Point is building for the future! More news later this season!"

http://www.aceonline.org/classics.htm Read the third one.

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Stop the lawyers, not the rides!

Rctycoon2k said:

Heres a list of all ACE Classics, not to my surprise Big Dipper IS on there!
[url="http://rcdb.com/result.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&category=14"ACE CLASSICS
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That list is not accurate considering the Zippin Pippin at Libertyland in Memphis, TN got it's coaster classic status back this past November. I am coordinating the ACE event to for its re-admission for this August 3rd.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

Why do some enthusiast get all worked up over what constitutes an ACE classic? ACE has 7,000 members, which in my opinion, is pathetic, considering that are millions of coaster lovers worlwide. Clearly an ACE classic could equal lawsuits (and probably has resulted in lawsuits) for a park. The reason so many coasters have added seatbelts, ratcheting lapbars, headest, seat dividers etc. is for safety, and because other peope have been hurt. As I said in a previous thread, I'm tired of ACE trying to dictate my comfort level on a coaster train. I'm all for coaster preservation, but I believe that the trains should be brought up to modern safety standards.
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B&M vs. Intamin? CCI vs. GCI? Who cares! They're all fun!

*** This post was edited by Intamin Fan on 6/16/2002. ***

I bet if you calculated all the air from Big Dipper, and then that one spot on Jack Rabbit, they would be pretty close.

Yeah that was what i meant. :) I LOVE OLDIES!

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www.EverythingRollerCoaster.com

Dipper doesn't use 2 trains much. It is mainly just the parks way of doing things. They have always been like that.

I would guess it is a safety percaution with the brakes and sensors and everything... I guess

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www.EverythingRollerCoaster.com