I agree with everything you said here! Racer is probably my favorite racing coaster I've done, except for maybe Gemini. Another fun fact about this ride: the current control setup requires two control operators, one for each side of the station / brakerun, and the bell you hear upon dispatch is actually an audio aid that is used by the two control operators to make sure they dispatch the ride in sync!
Such great memories of riding the Jackrabbit when I was about 5 with my grandmother, then graduating to the Racer, and eventually the “new” Thunderbolt as I grew up. Then taking my kids through the same cycle. Hey girls, when are those grandkids coming? I have plans…
I love the review so much. This was my very first coaster credit that didn't have trains not shaped like a worm, a Go-Gator or a dragon. My favorite part about the ride is seeing the beauty of the coaster itself. This is the most photogenic ride at the park (although, Steel Curtain is pretty sharp too. Living in Detroit, I'm a huge fan of the Art Deco station design (NY, Miami, Detroit, and Chicago embrace that style). Off the top of my head, I can not think of a coaster that it painted this color, at least not for a woodie. If you know one,help me out. lol. I miss the views of The Log Jammer next to The Racer, but Steel Curtain's massive structure is an upgrade. Kennywood's Whip used to be next the racer and Log Jammer's stations, in it's own little covered pavilion. Great times
The back seat of the left side (when you're walking into the station) is WAY better than the back seat on the right side. That seat is the best wooden coaster ride in the park imo.
I love Racer. It's by far my favorite woodie at Kennywood. Thunderbolt did nothing for me, and Racer's airtime in the back row seemed much stronger than Jack Rabbit's double-down (in the back row). I still like Lightning Racer more for its rapid-fire elements, variety, and different types of interactions, but Racer was still so much fun. Without Steel Curtain operating, I will be spending more time with Racer on my next visit.
Tricky question (just for fun), would you say that : a) Racer is worth 1 credit, and you need to ride both sides to get the full credit (meaning that you get a 0.5 credit if you only ride one side) b) Racer is worth 1 credit, and you get the credit whether you ride the two sides or just one c) Racer is worth 2 credits (1 side = 1 credit)
I am team (c) all the way. I feel that there's no such thing as half a credit, so (a) is not even an option in my book. I don't determine a credit by completing an entire circuit, because if so, I still don't have Millennium Force's credit, among many others with a separate load and unload spot. I also feel that a coaster credit is determined by riding track that you haven't ridden before, getting on and off at the designated points of normal operations. By that standard, Racer absolutely is 2 credits. If you have the option to stay on the train and ride the entire circuit, or if you are forced to stay on and ride the entire circuit (Twisted Colossus), then it's 1 credit. But if you are forced to get off the ride after the one lap, then it doesn't matter that the track is connected. That was one full coaster ride, and riding the other side later is a separate, 2nd coaster ride.
Jack rabbit is bit of a one trick pony, but what a trick it is. (And honestly, even the modest layout and speeds would have been exciting for people used to leap the dips and scenic railways.)
I’m at universal and got here yesterday I’ve already gone to the park, got 3 rides on velocicoaster, 1 ride on rip ride rockit, 1 ride on Hagrids (I waited 95 minutes for hagrids) , 1 ride on fast and furious super charged 💀💀💀,1 ride on hulk, 1 ride on doctor dooms fearfall, and I got one ride on 3 3D rides
@@beddingfieldcoasters5778no it didn’t it was under control and far away from the Thunderbolt it was the Millie’s ice cream stand. Tbolt had no damage or anything and should be opened on opening day if anything is affected it will be Millie’s
Might be my favorite ride in the park. Like Gemini the interaction with the opposite side is awesome!
I prefer a few others, but this is a good ride.
L opinion
Back in the 80's, yeah grandpa online, they had 4 trains and would have all 4 on the course. Dispatching 2 at a time. Those were the days.
Wish they still did that.
I agree with everything you said here! Racer is probably my favorite racing coaster I've done, except for maybe Gemini. Another fun fact about this ride: the current control setup requires two control operators, one for each side of the station / brakerun, and the bell you hear upon dispatch is actually an audio aid that is used by the two control operators to make sure they dispatch the ride in sync!
Thanks for sharing!
Such great memories of riding the Jackrabbit when I was about 5 with my grandmother, then graduating to the Racer, and eventually the “new” Thunderbolt as I grew up. Then taking my kids through the same cycle. Hey girls, when are those grandkids coming? I have plans…
They're nostalgic rides.
I love the review so much. This was my very first coaster credit that didn't have trains not shaped like a worm, a Go-Gator or a dragon.
My favorite part about the ride is seeing the beauty of the coaster itself. This is the most photogenic ride at the park (although, Steel Curtain is pretty sharp too. Living in Detroit, I'm a huge fan of the Art Deco station design (NY, Miami, Detroit, and Chicago embrace that style).
Off the top of my head, I can not think of a coaster that it painted this color, at least not for a woodie. If you know one,help me out. lol.
I miss the views of The Log Jammer next to The Racer, but Steel Curtain's massive structure is an upgrade. Kennywood's Whip used to be next the racer and Log Jammer's stations, in it's own little covered pavilion. Great times
It does have a unique look.
The back seat of the left side (when you're walking into the station) is WAY better than the back seat on the right side. That seat is the best wooden coaster ride in the park imo.
That is the exact row & side I went with on my ride in 2022, and I was blown away.
I find that drop a bit better on the left too.
I love Racer. It's by far my favorite woodie at Kennywood. Thunderbolt did nothing for me, and Racer's airtime in the back row seemed much stronger than Jack Rabbit's double-down (in the back row). I still like Lightning Racer more for its rapid-fire elements, variety, and different types of interactions, but Racer was still so much fun. Without Steel Curtain operating, I will be spending more time with Racer on my next visit.
I like Thunderbolt best of the 3 woodies.
I’ve not ridden this, but heckling you friends makes The Grnad National much more fun.
I agree.
I think its the best of the three. I got sustained ejector airtime on every hill, almost the same strength of the Jackrabbit doubledown.
Wow it must have been running crazy fast.
Tricky question (just for fun), would you say that :
a) Racer is worth 1 credit, and you need to ride both sides to get the full credit (meaning that you get a 0.5 credit if you only ride one side)
b) Racer is worth 1 credit, and you get the credit whether you ride the two sides or just one
c) Racer is worth 2 credits (1 side = 1 credit)
For me, the answer is a. Half credits are very rare though. This is just like those times when you have to leave the coaster because of valleying
I am team (c) all the way. I feel that there's no such thing as half a credit, so (a) is not even an option in my book. I don't determine a credit by completing an entire circuit, because if so, I still don't have Millennium Force's credit, among many others with a separate load and unload spot. I also feel that a coaster credit is determined by riding track that you haven't ridden before, getting on and off at the designated points of normal operations. By that standard, Racer absolutely is 2 credits. If you have the option to stay on the train and ride the entire circuit, or if you are forced to stay on and ride the entire circuit (Twisted Colossus), then it's 1 credit. But if you are forced to get off the ride after the one lap, then it doesn't matter that the track is connected. That was one full coaster ride, and riding the other side later is a separate, 2nd coaster ride.
I count it as B myself, but A is technically correct.
@@OklahomaCoasterFan This is how I count Grand National at Blackpool Pleasure Beach tbh. You have to unload after every ride. So its one credit.
This is a neat ride. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Sure is.
I have fond memories of Racer at Kennywood, but I'll take the one at Kings Island over it any day of the week.
I prefer Kennywood's.
I can’t wait for Mattel Adventure Park, Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer, and Boneshaker the Ultimate Ride!
I'm excited for that park.
I personally prefer Lightning Racer or Gemini but I will say that Racer is usually more consistent and smooth, no matter what row you're in.
i find racer to be kind of rough, this coming from a Hershey passholder, and gemini is steel, he said best wooden racing coaster
@@WasowskiSings gemini is a hybrid
I think I prefer Racer to both.
@@CanobieCoaster What abt Racer at Kings Island? It has some great airtime moments
I've ridden this during the Halloween event
Nice! Haven't ridden it at night before.
Better then jack rabbit imo
I agree.
Jack rabbit is bit of a one trick pony, but what a trick it is. (And honestly, even the modest layout and speeds would have been exciting for people used to leap the dips and scenic railways.)
So what would you rate this ride? What do you think? Would you give it a 1?
It's at the end of the review.
I didn’t really enjoy this my only ride back in 2018 I actually noticed nothing not sure where I sat though
I'm guessing you were in the middle.
I’m at universal and got here yesterday I’ve already gone to the park, got 3 rides on velocicoaster, 1 ride on rip ride rockit, 1 ride on Hagrids (I waited 95 minutes for hagrids) , 1 ride on fast and furious super charged 💀💀💀,1 ride on hulk, 1 ride on doctor dooms fearfall, and I got one ride on 3 3D rides
Hope you enjoyed those rides!
This ride can run five trains
I've only seen 1 on each side in my visits.
@@CanobieCoaster cuz it only has 3
Thunderbolt just caught fire. It’ll live.
What?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!
It did not that was the ice cream stand Millie’s
@@Duffster115 the fire spread to the top of the lift hill
@@beddingfieldcoasters5778no it didn’t it was under control and far away from the Thunderbolt it was the Millie’s ice cream stand. Tbolt had no damage or anything and should be opened on opening day if anything is affected it will be Millie’s
@@Duffster115 I saw a new picture of the top of Thunderbolt’s lift hill on fire