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Full Throttle (roller coaster)

Coordinates: 34°25′23″N 118°35′50″W / 34.423178°N 118.597174°W / 34.423178; -118.597174
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Full Throttle
250x
Full Throttle's features the world's third tallest vertical loop at 160 ft. The train uses the loop twice for the ride.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
LocationSix Flags Magic Mountain
Park sectionSix Flags Plaza
Coordinates34°25′23″N 118°35′50″W / 34.423178°N 118.597174°W / 34.423178; -118.597174
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 22, 2013 (2013-06-22)[1]
CostUS$6 million
ReplacedLog Jammer
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerPremier Rides
Track layoutTerrain
Lift/launch system3 linear synchronous motor launches
Height160 ft (49 m)
Length2,200 ft (670 m)
Speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration1:30
Capacity800 riders per hour
G-force4.0
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Trains2 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 18 riders per train.
Flash Pass available
Must transfer from wheelchair
Full Throttle at RCDB

Full Throttle is a steel launched roller coaster located in Six Flags Plaza at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.[2]It was designed and manufactured by Premier Rides, and opened on June 22, 2013.[2]

The ride featured the world's tallest vertical loop at 160 feet (49 m) when it opened, a record surpassed on January 1, 2016 when Flash opened at Lewa Adventure in Xianyang, China. It is also the first roller coaster to feature a top-hat element on top of a vertical loop.

History

In late 2012 Baltimore-based roller coaster manufacturer Premier Rides was announced as the builder of the coaster.[3] Construction of Full Throttle started shortly after the Log Jammer log flume was closed on October 31, 2011.[4][5] In March 2012, details of a launched roller coaster named Full Throttle were leaked to the Los Angeles Times.[6] On April 4, 2012, Six Flags trademarked the name Full Throttle.[7]

On August 28, 2012, Six Flags Magic Mountain officially announced Full Throttle.[8] Along with Full Throttle there would be a new themed section to host the new coaster.

In mid-November 2012, construction walls went up, blocking off the construction site in Six Flags Plaza.[9] For the new themed section, What the Fried? (restaurant) and Warner Bros. Kids' Club (theater) were demolished before the construction walls went up.[9] By mid-December, the first pieces of Full Throttle's track had arrived on site.[10] In late February, Full Throttle started to become vertical until April 12, 2013 when it was complete.[11][12]

Six Flags Magic Mountain confirmed on Twitter that Full Throttle would open on June 22, 2013.[1] Later that year in November, seat belts were installed on both Full Throttle and Goliath.[13]

Ride experience

The train is launched from 0 to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) using one of the three linear synchronous motor out of the station into the record-breaking 160-foot-tall (49 m) vertical loop.[2][14] Riders then enter into a high-banked curve to the right and then another to the left as they approach the second inversion, a dive loop.[15] This inversion drops down into a tunnel previously used for the park's monorail system, where the train comes to a halt.[16] The train is then launched backwards out of the tunnel and partially up the dive loop. Once it loses its backward momentum, the train returns forward into the tunnel and is launched out of the tunnel and straight into a high-G turn to the left.[17] Riders then go up the top hat that is located on top of the loop.[18] Riders drop from the hill and reach the brake run before entering a 180-degree turn to the left back into the station.[15] Duration of the 2,200 foot (670 m) ride is under one minute.[2][14]

Entrance to Full Throttle with the 160 foot loop
The dive loop before entering the tunnel

Trains

The train is configured in a 2 trains with 3 cars per train layout. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 18 riders per train.[2][14] The roller coaster configuration makes the capacity of 800 riders per hour.[2]

Plaza and station

Full Throttle's station was once open aired, but shade has since been placed over the station. Its theme is unlike other coasters in the park. In front of the station is a dining area and gift shop in a building with "Full Throttle" badging.[19] There is also a stage where dance parties are often held featuring a DJ, drum player, and "Full Throttle dancers."

Reception

Upon its building, Full Throttle received positive reviews from critics. Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times states, "you ride Full Throttle and there's only one reaction: wow". MacDonald claims the ride starts "silky smooth and whisper quiet" and launches as a "rocket-fast launch". MacDonald criticized the activation of the brakes as the train descends the top hat.[20]

Records

Upon debut, Full Throttle surpassed Superman: Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas for the tallest vertical loop on a roller coaster.[6] In January 2016 the record was conceded to Mack-manufactured Flash at Lewa Adventure amusement park located in China. However, Full Throttle's loop remains the tallest loop in North America.

It has the first top hat attached directly on top of the vertical loop.[14] As of 2024 no other looping roller-coaster has this type of top hat.[21][22]

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 2014 2017
Ranking 39[23] 50[24]

References

  1. ^ a b "Full Throttle Launches..." Six Flags Magic Mountain/Twitter. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Marden, Duane. "Full Throttle  (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  3. ^ Hopkins, Jamie (2012-10-01). "Premier Rides to build tallest, fastest-looping roller coaster". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  4. ^ Kurt (October 31, 2011). "Log Jammer Closed At Six Flags Magic Mountain". The Coaster Guy. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  5. ^ MacDonald, Brady (November 14, 2011). "Top 13 for 2013: Most anticipated new rides at U.S. theme parks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  6. ^ a b MacDonald, Brady (7 March 2012). "Six Flags Magic Mountain spills plans for record-setting coaster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  7. ^ Six Flags (April 4, 2012). "Full Throttle". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  8. ^ Martin, Hugo (30 August 2012). "Six Flags Magic Mountain announces 18th coaster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  9. ^ a b Kurt (November 18, 2012). "Full Throttle Construction Update #1". The Coaster Guy. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  10. ^ Kurt (December 16, 2012). "Full Throttle Track Is Onsite At Six Flags Magic Mountain". The Coaster Guy. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  11. ^ Kurt (February 2, 2013). "Full Throttle Construction Article Roundup". The Coaster Guy. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  12. ^ "Park's Newest World Record Coaster – FULL THROTTLE –To Change Skyline of Six Flags Magic Mountain". 11 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Seat Belts Added To Both Goliath And Full Throttle".
  14. ^ a b c d "What you need to know about Six Flags Magic Mountain's Full Throttle". Fox News. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  15. ^ a b "Magic Mountain Announces Next Mega-Coaster". SCVNews. August 30, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  16. ^ Peralta, Mark (August 30, 2012). "Six Flags Magic Mountain Launches World Record Coaster for 2013". Examiner.
  17. ^ "Six Flags Magic Mountain Cranks It Up: Full Throttle In 2013". KHTS Radio. August 30, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  18. ^ "Six Flags Magic Mountain to open world's tallest looping coaster in 2013". Los Angeles Business. August 30, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  19. ^ "Full Throttle Media Day At Six Flags Magic Mountain". The Coaster Guy. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  20. ^ MacDonald, Brady. "Review: Giant loop on Magic Mountain's new coaster offers big thrills". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  21. ^ Levine, Arthur. "Full Throttle Preview of Launched Looping Coaster Coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2013". About.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  22. ^ Brenner, Lisa (2013-06-22). "Traffic chokes LA, 'Full Throttle' roller coaster opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain". KPCC. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  23. ^ "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  24. ^ "2017 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Full Throttle (roller coaster).
Preceded by World's Tallest Vertical Loop
June 2013 – February 24, 2016 		Succeeded by
Flying Aces
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