"Richard Rodriguez officially kicked off his 18th rollercoaster marathon Guinness World Record attempt on the Pepsi Max Big One at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool on Friday 27th July at 9.00am.
Amazingly, rollercoaster marathon veteran Richard, 48, will eat, drink and sleep on rollercoasters for the foreseeable future as he takes on the ultimate endurance test. In accordance with stringent Guinness guidelines, Richard will accumulate 5 minutes respite for every full hour ridden to allow him to change clothes, shower, have a hot meal and transfer onto the Big Dipper for night time riding.
There’s an added twist to this unique record attempt – Richard will be going head to head with 2 challengers at Freizeitland Gieselwind park in Germany to reclaim the record he has held for nearly 30 years.
German Frank Rossler, known as ‘The Benjinator’, clinched the title last year by staying on the Boomerang coaster at Freizeitland for a total of 9 days and 12 hours, after a change in Guinness guidelines meant Richard’s previous endurance records were no longer recognised. The Benjinator will be attempting to break his own record on Boomerang once again as Richard rides the Big One.
But American Richard is confident he can beat The Benjinator and his sidekick Stefan Seemann and bring the title back to his favourite theme park in England, however long it takes.
The Pepsi Max Big One, Europe’s tallest rollercoaster, will be the biggest and most intensive ride anyone has ever undertaken a record attempt on, so this really will be Richard’s toughest challenge yet.
Commenting on the marathon, Richard said: ‘I was the undisputed king of rollercoasters for 30 years and I’m not going to watch these German challengers take my crown.
I proved my endurance in 2000, staying 2000 hours on the Big Dipper here at Pleasure Beach. Guinness Book of Records guidelines are a lot tougher these days, but I’m sure the Pepsi Max Big One dual coaster format will add a whole new dimension to this record attempt. Bring on the challenge!’
Amanda Thompson, Pleasure Beach Managing Director, added: ‘Myself and all the staff at Pleasure Beach would like to wish Richard Rodriguez the very best of luck. Pleasure Beach is the rollercoaster capital of the world with 11 classic and modern coasters, so it’s only right that the world record should be held right here in England. It’s exciting for everyone involved to be working with Richard once again."
( www.visitblackpool.com )
He has done this before (on the Big Dipper). Just wonder what you guys think?? Could you do what he is doing? Or would it put you off Rollercoasters for life?? (Remember, he has to sleep too - albeit on the Big Dipper, but hey, it's all jerky and stuff, being an old woodie.)
Plus he must be getting on a bit - he has held the title for 30 years!!!