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Maxx Force

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Not to be confused with Max Force, a line of toy weapons, or MaxxForce, a brand by Navistar International.
Maxx Force
File:Maxx Force logo.jpg
Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America
LocationSix Flags Great America
Park sectionCarousel Plaza
Coordinates42°22′08″N 87°56′11″W / 42.368858°N 87.936473°W / 42.368858; -87.936473
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateJuly 2, 2019
Opening dateJuly 4, 2019
Cost$15,000,000
ReplacedPictorium
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerS&S - Sansei Technologies
DesignerJoe Draves
ModelCompressed Air Launch
Height175 ft (53 m)
Drop172 ft (52 m)
Length1,800 ft (550 m)
Speed78 mph (126 km/h)
Inversions5
Duration0:23
Capacity1170 riders per hour
Acceleration0 to 78 (0 to 125 km/h) in 2 seconds
G-force4.5
Restraint styleLapbars with seatbelt and shinguards
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains2 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 16 riders per train.
Flash Pass Platinum tier (one time)
Single rider line not available (coming soon)
Maxx Force at RCDB

Maxx Force is a launched steel roller coaster at Six Flags Great America amusement park in Gurnee, Illinois United States.[1] It opened on July 4, 2019, and was manufactured by S&S - Sansei Technologies. The ride holds the record for fastest accelerating launch in North America at 78 miles per hour (126 km/h) in 1.8 seconds, as well as the fastest inversion in the world at 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), and the tallest double inversion in the world at 175 feet (53 m).[2]

History

Development

On May 4, 2018, The Pictorium, a 980-seat IMAX theater that opened in 1979 as the "world's largest cinema experience", was closed and demolished with little publicity, almost one year away from its 40th anniversary.[3] From August 2 through August 23, 2018, Six Flags Great America released four episodes of a teaser series titled "Road to Glory" on social media. In the episodes, a racer appropriately named "Maxx" races around the park as referees cheer him on. On August 30, 2018, Maxx Force was officially announced along with the rest of 2019 attraction announcements by Six Flags. Ride time is approximately 25 seconds.[4][5][6][7]

Construction

Shortly after Maxx Force's announcement on August 30, 2018, construction began in Carousel Plaza, forcing the nearby Whizzer to temporarily close and have a section of its track removed in order to place footers for the ride.[8] Maxx Force then went vertical on January 15, 2019 shown at the American Coaster Enthusiast (ACE) event that took place January 19, 2019.[9] On May 13, 2019, the last piece of track was placed toward the end of the ride.[citation needed]

On June 12, 2019, one month after the last piece of track was completed, the Maxx Force coaster train made its first complete circuit after a few weaker launches to test the air launch mechanics. A commercial filming day was held on June 30. Media Day was on July 2, 2019 followed by a passholder preview the following day. The ride officially opened to the general public on July 4, 2019.[10]

Ride experience

Seating

Maxx Force features Formula one themed trains where riders are seated in 8 rows of 2 riders for a total of 16 riders per train. Each train has 4 total cars with two rows per car. Each seat is equipped with a lap bar and seatbelt. The lap bar also features shin guards and a pneumatic ratcheting system to lock. Each seat is constructed of fiberglass with a metal supporting frame, with a soft foam seat back and spine to protect the head and back during the immense speed of the launch.

Layout

After leaving the station, the train pulls forward into the launch area. The train sits in place while the catch wagon attaches to the front of the train before launching out of the area at a speed of 0 to 78 mph in just 1.8 seconds. The train launches under a low hanging bridge upon which the Great America Railway runs. It then goes into a "dog tongue" double inversion at 175 feet off the ground. As the train reaches the top it slows considerably, giving riders an excellent view of the park. The train exits the dog tongue and the riders experience a moment of weightlessness as the train begins its descent. The train then dives under the launch track while turning to the right. At this moment the riders experience the highest G-force of the ride at 4.5 Gs. The train enters a zero-g roll at 60 mph, the fastest inversion in the world. The train then enters a "Maxx Dive Roll", a double inversion above the station. This takes the riders through a semi-heartlined roll up and counterclockwise, as it suspends the riders 90 degrees to the right, before returning upside down and diving toward the ground. The train enters the brakes approximately halfway down the final inversion, then parks and returns to the station. The ride takes approximately 23 seconds from the initial launch to the final stop on the brakes.[11]

Theme

Maxx Force's theme is based on racing. The train is based on the Formula One car, with similarly styled wheels on the front of the train, and colored red. [12] The ride's entrance re-uses the old Pictorium entrance, painted red and grey with the ride's logo on it. The gift shop nearby originally named Carousel Plaza Gifts that sold Great America apparel was transformed into Victory Lane which now sells Maxx Force items and Great America apparel.[13]

World records

According to Six Flags, Maxx Force held these records on opening:[14][15]

  • Fastest acceleration in North America (0 to 78 mph [126 km/h] in 2 secs)
  • Fastest inversion in the world (60 mph [97 km/h])
  • Tallest double inversion in the world (175 ft [53 m])

Although Kingda Ka has North America's fastest launch speed, Maxx Force's launch has the fastest acceleration as Kingda Ka takes approximately 4 seconds to accelerate to its top speed while Maxx Force takes under 2 seconds to reach its top speed.

References

  1. ^ "Six Flags Great America adding Maxx Force to its roller coaster roster". Daily Herald. 2018-08-30. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  2. ^ Tuttle, Brittani (2019-07-02). "Maxx Force roller coaster makes world record debut at Six Flags Great America". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  3. ^ "The Pictorium, Great America's IMAX pioneer, bids a sudden & quiet departure". Chicago Tribune. June 12, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  4. ^ "Six Flags: New roller coasters, thrill rides announced for 2019". USA Today. October 16, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "Record-breaking launch coaster to debut at Six Flags Great America". NWI Times. September 1, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "New Maxx Force roller coaster coming to Six Flags Great America in 2019". ABC 7 Chicago. August 30, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  7. ^ "New Six Flags Great America roller coaster Maxx Force to reach 78 mph in 2 seconds". Chicago Sun Times. August 31, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "Maxx Force Construction Update Fright Fest Six Flags Great America 9-22-18". JiggidyNDG. September 23, 2018.
  9. ^ Leshock, Marcus (Jan 19, 2019). "Marcus Leshock on Twitter: MAXX FORCE DETAILS FROM @SFGreatAmerica!". Twitter. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. ^ Lake County News Sun (June 20, 2019). "Maxx Force roller coaster to open July 4 weekend at Six Flags Great America". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  11. ^ "Maxx Force - Coasterpedia". Coasterpedia. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  12. ^ Kirsch, Jesse (2 July 2019). "Maxx Force: Six Flags Great America's newest roller coaster opening this week". ABC 7 Chicago. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  13. ^ John (2019-08-19). "Maxx Force Review: A Force to be Reckoned With". Coaster 101. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  14. ^ Alleman, Annie. "Six Flags Great America to debut new coaster Maxx Force, in-park Wi-Fi for 2019 season". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  15. ^ Brown, Forrest. "Maxx Force launch coaster: 0 to 78 mph in less than 2 seconds". CNN. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
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