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Roller coaster fans from Europe relish a visit to Worlds of Fun Englishman Martin Valt has been on 1,199 different roller coasters, including the Mamba at Worlds of Fun in 2006. So he knows his coasters. “The Mamba is one of the top steel coasters in America,” he said. On Friday, he returned to Worlds of Fun to take on the 205-foot-tall coaster — six or seven more times. Valt is a member of the European Coaster Club, which visited Worlds of Fun as part of a two-week tour through America’s theme parks. Club members were allowed one hour before the park opened at 10 a.m. to ride the coaster as many times as they pleased. About 60 enthusiasts from Denmark, Norway, Germany, France, the Netherlands and England were on hand to enjoy the park. For Norwegian accountant Mette Doving, this was the first time on the Mamba — for her, coaster No. 164. “My first was in 1979,” she said. “I was 5.” Of the 164, she said, the Mamba ranked well-above average. “It’s got great air time and high speeds,” she said. But her favorite is the 310-foot Millennium Force at Cedar Point in Ohio, which has great speed all the way through the 1¼ -mile ride. As the first coaster cars left the station, they also celebrated the Mamba’s 10th birthday with a birthday song. After those cars returned, the club’s founder, Justin Garvanovic, got his chance to tackle the Mamba for the first time. A West London native, he created the club 10 years ago after realizing he ran into the same people at the theme parks he enjoyed. As the lift chain pulled the cars up the first hill, Garvanovic studied the park from the summit. He offered some advice for novice riders as the cars approached the 205-foot drop. “Don’t close your eyes,” he said. “Your brain will give you signals to make it feel worse.” Valt added: “Also, if you can’t see, you can’t brace yourself for the turns.” After the thrilling drops, twists, and turns, the cars settled on the back stretch of the ride — the calm part. “The train is a bit slow now,” Garvanovic said of the ride, which tops out at 75 mph. “It’ll get faster once the oil grease heats up in about 45 minutes.” The club members — average age: 35 — rode the coaster multiple times, changing seats for every run. “You typically get more airtime from the back,” said Garvanovic, who used to write video games but is now a photographer. Valt is a theme park aficionado and has been to 352 parks in more than 20 countries. He spends 150 days a year at some type of theme park. The 215 remaining days he is a dentist. His assessment of Worlds of Fun is that it’s special because of its atmosphere. “You can’t just plop down a few rides and have a great park,” he said. “Great parks have more than good rides. They create an escape from the real world.” After a few rides, Garvanovic, sporting roller-coaster hair and dried saliva on the corners of his mouth, said the worst part of being an enthusiast is he knows how safe the rides are. In fact, he remembers hearing that coasters are the second-safest form of transportation behind lifts — elevators, that is. “I’ve never been stuck on a ride before, and I’ve ridden a lot,” he said. In fact, he said, getting stuck is “almost like the holy grail of coaster riding.”

Pic's of the cable

If the "Blue Streak" is a rated "old" woodie, why is there no interest from other parks to save it.. The best thing for the park to do, is to die and auction off the rides, the "Blue Streak", "Tumble Bug" and " Devil's Den" can be bought by another park. But I can honestly say the above rides will stand SBNO for years before they are razed to make way for flats n houses. Such a shame...

I'll never ride these drop towers, far 2 scary for me. Pic of snapped cable.

One of my friends visited Clementon Park on Monday and the Hell-Cat was only testing. The trim brakes have been added because the cars were ripping hell out of the second hill and this is to extend the life of the coaster. The first five trains of the day [test runs] do not use the trim brakes to gauge the speed and the trim brakes are adjusted accordingly for run mode. This extends the time of the ride by up to 3-4 secs. The 2nd train which never got used, has been added by the new owners, as the previous owners had a policy of just running 1 train. The park [as of Monday] were just waiting for the state to issue the licence for the public to use the coaster with the new trim brakes and 2 trains. Fingers crossed, the licence may have been issued by now. If it has, may go on down there to ride Hell-Cat

More photo's of this amazing slide: http://www.aquarena.at/Produkte/Wasserrutschen/adrenalin_speed/AquaLOOP/ You can get to the park by this map: http://www.terme3000.si/terme.php?p=28910&ln=eng Park's brochure: http://www.terme3000.si/media/Svet%20vodnih%20uzitkov.pdf

I'll go on the slide, it's more like a MF 120 degree banked curve than a proper vertical loop, but you have to praise the company to designed it.

Seems like Hell-Cat (Ex J2) is not so Hell as the park has added "trims" to the 1st / 2nd drop. ADMIN EDIT: Changed the title to be more descriptive. ~Matt

Kong is no more at any of the Universal Studio's.. Maybe Florida might want him back in a few years time. http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/universal-studios-ho-1977/ Universal Studios Hollywood officials said the “King Kong” attraction, a key element of the movie and television theme park’s back lot tram tour destroyed by Sunday’s fire, won’t be rebuilt and will be replaced with an all-new, yet-to-be-determined attraction. The studio tour resumed abbreviated operations on Monday, with tram-bound visitors whisked up to the cusp of the burn area and encouraged to snap photographs of the devastated New York back lot streets, which Universal officials said would be rebuilt. Visitors reported that some elements of the normal tour, such as the “Earthquake — The Big One” attraction and the “Parting of the Red Sea” effect at Park Lake, were not included. Fire trucks and emergency personnel blocked parts of the studio back lot Monday as crews continued their investigation of the blaze. Built in 1986, the $6.5-million “King Kong” attraction included a 30-foot-tall, 7-ton animatronic gorilla inside a 26,000-square-foot soundstage built to look like a city block

I've only seen Kong once and that was back in late 86, I was blown away by the sheer size of him.. Detail'd description of the ride: http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/studiotour/kingkong.shtml Kong will not be re-born as he will be replaced with another attraction. Universal Studios Hollywood officials said the “King Kong” attraction, a key element of the movie and television theme park’s back lot tram tour destroyed by Sunday’s fire, won’t be rebuilt and will be replaced with an all-new, yet-to-be-determined attraction. The studio tour resumed abbreviated operations on Monday, with tram-bound visitors whisked up to the cusp of the burn area and encouraged to snap photographs of the devastated New York back lot streets, which Universal officials said would be rebuilt. Visitors reported that some elements of the normal tour, such as the “Earthquake — The Big One” attraction and the “Parting of the Red Sea” effect at Park Lake, were not included. Fire trucks and emergency personnel blocked parts of the studio back lot Monday as crews continued their investigation of the blaze. Built in 1986, the $6.5-million “King Kong” attraction included a 30-foot-tall, 7-ton animatronic gorilla inside a 26,000-square-foot soundstage built to look like a city block, http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/universal-studios-ho-1977/

£1.59 a litre in West London.. Everyone else has got it cheap compared to the UK. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1223648.ece

Thorpe Park seems to be slowly going down hill with looking after their rides. Any type of "Rocket" coaster can stall at the top, TTD did this a couple of years ago. No big deal, it's greal for people who get stuck and can have a roll-back into the station. Ask for a discount as it's not worth paying £32 per ticket for 1/2 the rides down.

I must dis-agree with what you quoted, Knoebels and any Theme Park can choose any type of wooden coaster builder (inc pre-fabricated track) if they want to, depends on what type of layout it will be, height and what age the ride will be aim'd at. What has Knoebels got to do with the opening of Ravine Flyer 2

Ravine Flyer 2 is a master piece of engineering and wonder, to cross a road over an 160ft bridge is so rare and exciting. I'm not biased for any coaster, i'm just thankful we have coaster builders who create these fantastic rides all over the world and PTC who provide most of the cars. If a woodie is "rough" who cares, and also to be slammed in to the corners. thats part of the ride.. Yes, really "rough" coasters are no fun to ride, but the parks should make sure they are properly serviced in the off-seasons to make them be their best for the start of a new season. When your riding your next wood or steel coaster just think: " If theme parks were not around, where else can I enjoy a whole day of having fun being dropped, twisted, inverted and shot forward at great speeds". The world would be a boring place.

View from the top of the main slide 12.bmp In Robb's words "wwweeeeeeee"

After 15 years of dreaming about re-creating Waldameer’s famous “Ravine Flyer” wooden roller coaster, park owner Paul Nelson stepped forward in the mid-1990s and said, “Let’s do it.” However, the park’s neighbors near Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania, said, “No, you don’t,” and took Nelson to court. In addition to the lawsuits and opposition groups in the area, there were environmental impact studies completed and governmental hearings. It was a long process. The issues were handled one at a time by Nelson, and for a while, it seemed he couldn’t get to first base without neighbors suing him or other groups pointing out all the reasons the coaster couldn’t or shouldn’t be built. Eventually, he would get the permissions and variances needed, but those would also be appealed and second-guessed. “Every time we went to court, we would win,” Nelson told FUNWORLD. “We would get another step closer to getting permission, and we’d end up in court and win again.” Finally, all the appeals appear to have been exhausted when the state Supreme Court refused to hear the case, and the state’s appeals court upheld all the variances that had been issued to the park over the past decade. “Of course I am delighted, but I am now 10 years older than I was then, and our $4 million coaster project has nearly doubled in price,” Nelson said, noting that he’s not sure what it will eventually cost. “No, I’m not refiguring it; I’ll just have to be happy with whatever it ends up costing. It’s like remodeling your house. You know you want it done, and you probably end up spending more than you should, but you love the finished product.” Custom Coasters of Cincinnati, Ohio, originally engineered and designed the “Ravine Flyer II.” Following the bankruptcy of that firm in 2002, four of its employees formed their own company, Gravity Group LLC, and will be building the ride for Nelson. The woodie is to be loosely patterned after the original “Ravine Flyer,” built in 1922 by John Miller, and demolished in 1938. The coaster went outside the park, across a bridge over a small road, and back in. That small road is now a four-lane highway, and the park is located near the entrance to the very popular Presque Isle State Park. “When the state built the four-lane road into the state park, they got a 120-foot right-of-way of our land. Part of the deal then was that we would retain the right to build a footbridge and/or a bridge for the ‘Ravine Flyer II’ to cross over,” Nelson said. “So we had no problem getting permission for that; it was all the other stuff.” Construction on an access road for the coaster, the pillars that will hold the 165-foot-long arched bridge across the highway, and other infrastructure work began in April. The earliest the coaster could be put into service right now is 2008, according to Nelson. The ride will feature a 110-foot drop and will be approximately 3,000 feet long, Nelson said. The original blueprints for the ride were lost in a fire that destroyed the park’s office in 1952, so most of the design work was done from memory. Original layout of RF 11 Underneath the bridge

Picture of the original bridge which takes the Ravine Flyer over the road between 1922 - 1938.

This week the famed Cyclone roller coaster in Coney Island turned 80. The Cyclone is a throwback, all wood and steel, and for nearly 45 years after it was built, it was the fastest roller coaster in the world. It's since been surpassed by more modern coasters, but what it lacks in technology it makes up for with personality. (In other words, this thing is rickety enough to put fear into anyone.) Coney Island celebrated the only way it knows how: With an event that was part boardwalk charm, part freak show spectacle, and all heart. They originally wanted to run the Cyclone full of people who rode it in its inaugural year, meaning people who'd have to be at least 87 or so by now, but they found no takers. Then they wanted to fill it with 80-year-olds, but they could only find three. Then one got cold feet, and they were down to two. But as proud members of a group called American Coaster Enthusiasts, those two men were up to the task. The BPP sent Luke Burbank, Win Rosenfeld, Dan Pashman, and a video camera out to Coney Island to cover the event, and to take a spin on the Cyclone themselves. http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/2007/06/coney_islands_cyclone_turns_80.html

Sharing the secrets of sensational Siam Park Siam Park. It’s a subject on everyone’s lips. When will it be open? What will it look like? What sort of rides will there be? How much will it cost to get in? Will it be worth the wait? The man with all the answers at his fingertips is general manager Cristoph Keissling who is masterminding the creation of this incredible 50 million euros aquatic theme park, the biggest in Europe and already a world record-breaker. Interest in Siam Park is phenomenal and for the last year or so, people travelling on the motorway or arriving at Playa de las Américas bus station or the ultra-modern Magma Centre have caught a tantalising glimpse of Thai-style structures. But it is what you find behind the magnificent entrance building and gates which unlocks the secrets of Siam Park - and after a two hour tour with Cristoph, Tenerife News is able to share them with you. It is, quite simply, going to be stunning, sensational and out of this world. Let’s try and paint a picture for you. Imagine the best water park you have been to and then super-size everything, including all the rides, pools, shoots and slides. Make them bigger, higher, more spectacular and stomach-churning than anything you have ever encountered in a wondrous water world. Add a range of uniquely designed buildings, luscious jungle-like vegetation, cascading waterfalls, an imposing plaza, a lazy meandering river with giant bubbles, huge statues of lions, tigers, lizards and elephants, a massive giant’s head glistening with crystals, a Lost City, five restaurants and bars, real alligators and sea lions, a massive pool with record-breaking waves, an amphitheatre, stunning views of the ocean and Gomera....the list is endless. If you’re getting excited and eager to visit, just imagine how Cristoph feels. “I cannot wait for the day when we unlock the gates and see the smiles on people’s faces,” he says before admitting: “It’s been a huge privilege but a very emotional journey for me.” Six years ago, he stood on the edge of a barren baranco and envisaged what a Siam Park could look like below. Today, that dream is nearing reality. The latest targeted opening date following several delays is December 2007 although there are sceptics around who think it will not be achieved. If you are looking at the park from the road at Costa Adeje, it is easy to understand their stance. It’s not until you enter the massive site that you realise just how much work has been done. Although the land is still covered in debris and dust, it is a hive of activity with some 300 people involved in the construction. It would be even more if Cristoph could find additional labour, particularly electrians, plumbers and carpenters, and he is eager for more tradesmen to come forward. All the dramatic water rides are in situ (they encompass a total of 28 water slides in all shapes, twists and sizes) and most of the 25 buildings are nearing completion. Much of the exotic foliage was planted several years ago so huge parts of the park are already green and lush. It seems as though this massive Thai jigsaw is finally coming together - but will it be finished in time? “As far as I am concerned, we will do everything within our power to get it ready by the end of this year,” says Cristoph whose family own and developed Loro Parque which also has a Thai village entrance. Certainly, the official inauguration day is still set for December 17 which is the date Loro Parque also opened but if the park is not ready for the public by then, it would surely take just a few more weeks to reveal all to the many thousands of visitors expected to flock in day after day. Cristoph’s minimum estimate is for 600,000 visitors in the first year alone; any more would be a bonus. It will be open every day from 10am to 6pm and probably later into the evening during the summer months. As we tour the park, Cristoph takes us up to the most spectacular and thrilling ride you can imagine, The Tower of Power which only the very brave will tackle! We have clambered up a muddy hill to get to the top but when it is ready, access will be via 235 steps so you will need to be fit in the first place. It will certainly help to cut out any queues although Cristoph does not expect people to have to form long lines to enjoy the rides. Each has a huge capacity per hour and you do not have to pay separately for each ride - the admission price is all inclusive, eccepct for your drinks and food, of course. So just what will people be paying at the gate? Cristoph says the admission fee has already been set but does not wish to make it public yet. All we can say is that it is a hugely competitive rate, one you will certainly not begrudge paying and one which compares very favourably with other Tenerife attractions. There will also be a joint package for both Siam Park and Loro Parque. The price of refreshments is not going to be extortionate either and although the whole park is Thai-themed with Thai architecture and decorations, you will still be able to buy a burger or a chicken sandwich. Likewise, the sun beds and umbrellas around the main pool - heated to a beautiful 25 degrees we should add - will be free of charge but get in early will be the message. One thing you won’t find in Siam Park however is any Buddha statues. Out of respect to the Thai Royal family, the Keisslings asked if they could use the name Siam Park and there were no objections at all. However, they were requested not to copy any of the Royal palaces or Thai temples and esteemed Thai architect, Dr Ruthai happily obliged. The Thai Royal family has kept in touch with the progress of the project and are as fascinated as we are here on Tenerife. The Thai Queen is sent regular updates and pictures on the internet and when I ask Cristoph if they are likely to be at the opening, he smiles secretly and says “I am sure someone will be here.” They, like us, will be intrigued by the fantastic water rides which have wonderful names such as the Giant where you spin round and round in a powerful twin cyclone, the Volcano which features a spectacular laser show and dancing dragon, the Jungle Snake with its twists and turns and the gravity-defying Dragon which has a huge creature wrapped around its massive cone to resemble gaping jaws. But it is the Tower of Power which will take your breath away most of all. From the departure point up those 235 steps, your kamikaze-style ride includes a record drop of 28m (the second highest plunge in the world) before the slide eventually passes through a clear acrylic pipe right through the heart of the alligator pool and aquarium before coming out to sanity on the other side. All the rides at Siam Park will be unique as each has been especially adapted by experts but as Cristoph stresses, they are 100 per cent safe and constructed to the very highest of standards. Some have been crafted into the rocks, giving an Indiana Jones atmosphere. Height restrictions will apply but there will be rides galore for all ages to enjoy. There is a Naga Racer with six lanes, several water ride areas for children such as The Lost City and a smaller version for the very very young, a tea house, beach bar, floating market consisting of Thai houses built on stilts and surrounded by water, full changing facilities, shops and Thai massage and that Slow River on which you and your family can ride around the park, even passing through a cave, around islands and travelling up a hill on a conveyor belt. The fantastic wave pool will feature a record-breaking 3m high wave and, as it is suitable for surfers, championships will be held here and there will be a Surfing School where people can achieve their certificates. Its fame is already spreading around the world, including to the Maldives and America. This has been a truly international project with Cristoph having sourced materials from all over the world and visiting Thailand on many occasions for inspiration. There are 600,000 ceramic roof tiles from Thailand, sand from Portugal, decorative items from Vietnam, pumps from Italy, chairs from China and the rides have been made by specialist companies from as far afield as Canada and Scotland. Similarly, there will be an international team at Siam Park when it opens, speaking a range of languages. There will be between 200 and 250 jobs here and recruitment will start shortly. Cristoph is also proud that the Park is eco-friendly. It has the first natural gas plant in the Canaries which will very significantly cut carbon emissions and will use salt water taken from the sea with its own desalination plant.The water will later be re-used to keep the trees and plants green. Cristoph is very modest when we suggest that Siam Park could totally revitalize the fortunes of the south of Tenerife. He concedes that, together with the Magma Centre, it will give the entrance to the south an entirely new look but says the island should never be afraid of the periodic dips in tourism numbers as it has so much to offer, not least the beautiful weather and fantastic scenery. There is room to expand at Siam Park (perhaps a roller-coaster for the future?) but Cristoph says that is for the years ahead as all efforts must be put into making the first phase an outstanding success. He intends to listen to what his customers say and react accordingly - his reward will be to see those smiles at the entrance gate echoed by even broader smiles as people leave after a wonderful day out at Siam Park.

Anyone from TPR going to this: Remembering a Cleveland Legend: Puritas Springs and the Fearsome Cyclone The clatter and whoosh of The Cyclone racing along its wooden track still echoes over the valley below Puritas hill, but only in the dreams of those who remember Puritas Springs Park and its spectacular roller coaster. On Sunday, June 8th, from noon to five, fans of the old amusement park and its legendary coaster will gather in the Rosenthal Room at the 100th Bomb Group restaurant, at 20920 Brookpark Road across from the airport, to mark the 50th year of the park's closing. The event is free and open to the public. There will be recently discovered photos and home movies, a replica of the park gates, carnival music, memorabilia, a video version of a ride on the fearsome Cyclone recreated from actual measurements, and lots of friendly people who remember good times at Puritas Springs. Among the guests planning to stop by is: Safari Jane, wife of the late Lawrence Tetzlaff who, as wild-animal trainer Jungle Larry, became a household name on the local kids show Captain Penny. His Circus Africa was a popular attraction at Puritas Springs. In fact, Safari Jane first met Jungle Larry visiting the park with her little brother in 1957. Captain Penny was best man at their wedding. Ken Dombey Jr., son of local musician Ken Dombey, the popular organist whose masterful skills at the keyboard made Puritas Springs roller skating rink one of the most popular in Cleveland. Ken Jr. also worked at the park and met his wife there. Florence Gooding who ran the park for many years with her late husband, James Gooding, grandson of the park's founder. Joyce Behrendt Biddulph whose family ran the concessions. The Behrendts spent their summers at the park preparing the creamy taffy, fluffy cotton candy, hot popcorn, crispy French waffles and rich custard so many remember. Scott Andress, great-grandson of the park's founder. He grew up in the park which his parents managed with the Goodings. Built in 1928, The Cyclone took advantage of the steep hill at the edge of Cleveland Metropolitan Park, plunging into the valley and through the trees on a winding, twisting course described as either frighteningly fun or just plain terrifying. Most think it was wonderful! The event is sponsored by the West Park Historical Society which is dedicated to preserving the history of Cleveland's far west side. -------------------------------------------------------------- If anyone does go to this event, please can then do a report with pictures, I would like to see a POV of this coaster.

This drawing was in the Times newspaper today which is sold in England. Wonder if coasters would ever reach this height before all the people pass out from the drop.

GTA 4 Cheats: While playing the game, press Up to display Niko's cellphone. Press Up again to access the keypad. Then, enter one of the following codes to activate the corresponding cheat function. Once a code has been entered correctly, a new "Cheats" menu option will be available on your phone, below "Options", where you can access the cheats without having to enter the phone number again. Note: Do not save the game after enabling a code to avoid unforeseen problems. Full health Dial "3625550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "DOC-555-0100". Full health and ammunition Dial "4825550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "GTA-555-0100". Weapons tier 1 Dial "4865550100" into the cellphone. This will unlock the baseball bat, handgun, shotgun, MP5, M4, sniper rifle, RPG, and grenades. Note: This phone number translates to "GUN-555-0150". Weapons tier 2 Dial "4865550150" into the cellphone. This will unlock the knife, Molotov cocktails, handgun, shotgun, Uzi, AK47, sniper rifle, and RPG. Note: This phone number translates to "GUN-555-0100". Remove Niko's wanted level Dial "2675550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "COP-555-0100". Add one star to Niko's wanted level Dial "2675550150" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "COP-555-0150". Spawn Annihilator police helicopter Dial "3595550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "FLY-555-0100". Spawn Cognoscenti Dial "2275550142" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "CAR-555-0142". Spawn Comet Dial "2275550175" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "CAR-555-0175". Spawn FBI Buffalo Dial "2275550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "CAR-555-0100". Spawn Jetmax Dial "9385550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "WET-555-0100". Spawn NRG-900 Dial "6255550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "MBK-555-0100". Spawn Sanchez Dial "6255550150" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "MBK-555-0150". Spawn SuperGT Dial "2275550168" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "CAR-555-0168". Spawn Turismo Dial "2275550147" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "CAR-555-0147". Change weather and brightness Dial "4685550100" into the cellphone. Note: This phone number translates to "HOT-555-0100". Map locations Enter "www.whattheydonotwantyoutoknow.com" into the in-game computers to view maps that reveal all weapon, health, armor, vehicle, pigeon, ramp/stunt, and entertainment locations. Easy money Go to an ATM, then cause a traffic jam to the area. Wait for someone to take money from the ATM, then kill him or her. Make sure to block any nearby roads so the ambulance cannot get to the murdered victim. Take the money they dropped on the ground. Then, run a short distance away, and go back. The money should have respawned on the ground. You can repeat this as many times as desired. You can also kill more people taking their money from the ATM to increase the amount of money that respawns. -From: Khairol161 Repairing engine If the vehicle you are driving breaks down and the engine will not start, call 911, and your engine should start again. Fast travel To avoid wasting time driving all the way across the city, call a taxi. They will take you to your destination for your mission, stores, safehouses, or even a waypoint marker. You can skip through the taxi ride, allowing you to travel across the entire city in about ten seconds. This can also be done during missions. Easy headshots It is sometimes difficult to get headshots, which do count. With some practice, doing the following is an easy way to get headshots. Press [Auto-Aim], then use the Right Analog-stick to move the auto-aim target around your victim's body. Barely move the Right Analog-stick as you are shooting. This puts bullets in the chest and head, and results in an easy instant kill. Getting away from police When running away from the cops, you will have a circular area in which they look for you. However, if you get out and another cop sees you, it changes. To use this to your advantage, barely get out of that circle, which you will see on your radar. Then, just sit there for about five seconds instead of flooring past it. Regaining health during missions You can leave the mission area and go to a Cluckin' Bell, hotdog stand, etc. and eat food to replenish your health if you are low and cannot find a health pack. This is especially useful on missions where there are no health packs in sight. Note: You can also take a taxi to those locations during missions. Avoiding toll booths Drive through any toll booth with any emergency vehicle with the sirens on. The booth attendant will open the gate, and you will save $5. $100 for all ringtones and themes After getting the phone from Playboy X, go to the nearest Internet cafe. Buy all of the ringtones and themes from the ringtones site. Log out of the computer, and you will notice that you only paid $100 for all ringtones and themes.

I'll never visit this park if it ever gets built, not worth risking my life for.

Taken from: http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local/display.var.2213770.0.end_of_the_pier_rollercoaster_plan.php THE driving force behind the latest plans for Southend Pier has insisted he can find the £50million needed to drive the project forward. Thorpe Bay businessman Tony Garner, managing director of Epic World Leisure, spoke after revealing fresh plans to breathe new life into the landmark. A shore-end pavilion, cinema, museum, new railway station, viewing tower and the biggest rollercoaster over water in the world are all planned as part of the ambitious scheme. Mr Garner won planning permission 11 years ago for his rollercoaster, known as the Swine, until Southend Council pulled the plug over concerns about cash available to see the project through. Speaking of his latest plan, Mr Garner said: "We have already spent £1.5million developing our various ideas for the pier. We have had discussions with several banks concerning the financing of the scheme. "In fact, we have been approached by one bank which was responsible for the funding of the large new rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I would say the most likely funding arrangement would be a package drawn up with a number of banks." He added it was unlikely, even if Epic World Leisure gained planning permission and a lease from the council, that anything would be done before the end of the year. Mr Garner said: "We have to bear in mind the current financial situation and no company could consider borrowing money for this type of scheme unless everything is in place to go ahead. "My opinion is that the credit crunch will bottom out during this year, after which things should be easier." Architect Bernard Gooding said the latest plans had more credibility because talks had taken place with Southend Council planning officials. But the council said no decision has been made on any pier development. Chief executive and town clerk Rob Tinlin said: "While council officers held normal pre-application discussions with representatives of Epic World last year, the details of the plans which have recently been published are purely those of the private company and are not put forward on behalf of, or with the support of, Southend Council. "We are fully committed to regenerating the pier and any participation in the development or management of the pier in line with the findings of the public consultation, carried out last year, will be sought by normal open tender. "Any independent plans or proposals put to us will be considered through the normal planning process."

Since I live 4,000+ miles away from my fav woodies, it has to be nightime riding on the "Beast" and "SOB" at KI.