The Racer (Kings Island)
| The Racer | |||
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The Racer's first drop
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| Kings Island | |||
| Park section | Coney Mall | ||
| Coordinates | 39°20′37″N 84°15′53″W / 39.343728°N 84.264692°WCoordinates: 39°20′37″N 84°15′53″W / 39.343728°N 84.264692°W | ||
| Status | Operating | ||
| Opening date | April 29, 1972 | ||
| Cost | $1,200,000 | ||
| General Statistics | |||
| Type | Wood – Racing | ||
| Manufacturer | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters | ||
| Designer | John C. Allen | ||
| Track layout | Out and back | ||
| Lift/launch system | Chain | ||
| Blue | Red | ||
| Height | 88 ft (26.8 m) | 88 ft (26.8 m) | |
| Drop | 82.17 ft (25.0 m) | 82.17 ft (25.0 m) | |
| Length | 3,415 ft (1,040.9 m) | 3,415 ft (1,040.9 m) | |
| Speed | 53 mph (85.3 km/h) | 53 mph (85.3 km/h) | |
| Inversions | 0 | 0 | |
| Duration | 2:00 | 2:00 | |
| Max vertical angle | 45° | 45° | |
| Capacity | 2640 riders per hour | ||
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) | ||
| Trains | 4 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train. | ||
 Fast Lane available |
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The Racer at RCDB Pictures of The Racer at RCDB |
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The Racer is a racing roller coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. Designed by the legendary John C. Allen, The Racer is often recognized with being a vital part of the roller coaster renaissance of the 1970s, generally referred to as the industry's second golden age. It was featured at the grand opening of the amusement park in 1972 and inspired similar designs in other roller coasters around the world, such as Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion and Thunder Road at Carowinds. The Racer is also one of the few original Kings Island attractions still in operation today.
Following a very successful decade, the first major era of roller coasters in the United States would come to an end in the 1930s as the economy struggled during the Great Depression. Although new roller coasters were still being built, the demand wouldn't be the same for decades to come. By the 1960s, the industry was at an all-time low. Traditional amusement park rides, such as carousels, mill chutes, and even wooden roller coasters were losing popularity with newer generations. This led president of Philadelphia Toboggan Company and well-known coaster designer, John C. Allen, to decide in 1968 that it was time to retire. Allen was one of the last remaining designers with experience from the first golden age of roller coasters having studied under legendary designer Herbert Schmeck.
The Wachs' family owned and operated Cincinnati's Coney Island before selling to Taft Broadcasting in 1969, but they remained in control of park operations and made many decisions during the construction of Kings Island. Determined to recapture some of Coney Island's traditional themes at the new park, Gary Wachs and his father met Allen in 1970 at an IAAPA convention in Chicago. They convinced Allen to officially come out of retirement and design a roller coaster that would be as popular as Shooting Star at Coney Island, but also unique at the same time.
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