ZeroGravity55

Nice to see USC open up their offense today. USC definitely moves toward the off-season with a lot of positive momentum. Bowl win, 10 win season, and a new coach. I know they're still limited with the sanctions, but don't they end after this season?

^^ Anytime there is a complete 360, there has to be some type of elevation. In this case the elevation is gained as the coaster starts to drop, so it appears that it doesn't have any. I still think the elements are still too vaguely similar to be considered completely different elements. Also, I forgot to mention the negative-g stall on Goliath as something I've never seen before. I've messed with something like that on No Limits, but that started out as a failed attempt at the 153 on Outlaw Run, then turned into a 180 degree stall/turn.

^ The Smiler at Alton Towers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFTreEEOzDs#t=46

All three of Holiday Worlds wooden roller coasters opened on the same day, May 6th. The Raven-May 6, 1995 The Legend-May 6, 2000 The Voyage-May 6, 2006 Also, The Voyage was never intended to have three 90 degree turns. The Gravity Group was making minor tweaks to the design during construction when park president, Will Koch, suggested they add a 90 degree turn right after the first one. The Voyage was also supposed to go under the break-run before entering the last tunnel.

^ I figured it was something along the lines of that. I was just curious. I see a lot of other parks putting on these type of events and couldn't help but think that HW could have one of the best if they put one on. The setting and history of the park is just too perfect, they just need to be located closer to Indianapolis for it to happen. I'd always though it would be cool if they renamed themselves Santa Claus Land again just for a Christmas event if they had one. Anyways, they really don't need to put on a Christmas event. HW celebrates Christmas the whole operating season anyways!

How about a Intamin LSM or Mack Mega Coaster? High capacity, high thrills, and can fit in very compact areas.

I've never seen anything like the 153 on Outlaw Run. I've heard of a wave turn before, but never seen it on a coaster before Outlaw Run. Those are just two elements though. I think that the way that they're easily implementing these elements on their coasters with 100% confidence is what's most impressive. I look at the way they're putting some of these elements on these coasters (especially the re-mods) and can't help but think, how the hell is that possible?

I'm right there with you, HW never disappoints. They have to build something jaw dropping to get people to make the trek out to Santa Claus, to ride it.

American Thunder Six Flags St. Louis. I love the way GCI designs the structure for their coasters. All of them look so graceful.

That's a steel coaster. Were talking about working with a wooden structure that is 165 feet tall. It's a little more complex with the wind. I'm pretty sure that's part of the reason they're waiting until March to top the ride off. RMC doesn't tighten the bolts that hold the supports in the footers until they're finished with the track work. They probably don't think it's safe to do this with the tallest parts of the structure (lift and tallest overbank) until the wind dies down in the spring. If the wind doesn't die down in March or April, that's where delays in construction are going to come.

Has there ever been a enclosed tunnel on a B&M invert before? Maybe they could dig the trench, enclose it with a tunnel and then add some lighting and fog to it.

Hopefully the weather doesn't get too bad this winter and carries over into March and April. Would love to see them finish this on their goal date or maybe even sooner if they get lucky with the weather.

According to reports, Chip Kelly is at the top of Texas's wish list. I don't think he'll pull a Petrino considering the success he's had in the NFL so far, but you can never really tell what these coaches are thinking now days. Edit: Apparently Texas's new AD is really shooting for the stars. Add Pete Carrol, Mike McCarthy, Jim Harbaugh, and Mike Tomlin to his wish list along with Chip Kelly. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10147169/chip-kelly-philadelphia-eagles-link-texas-longhorns-job-speculation

Lol I was wrong, but I guess we're going to find out what big name coach is going to chase the money and great facilities. I say almost anybody who hasn't signed an extension will listen, but will they take the offer?

^ I think Texas is going to still try and force him out, but I don't think they're going to be successful. He seems to be dead set on coming back next year and I don't thing Texas really wants to fire him after everything he as done. If you remember a few years back, Will Muschamp was the head coach in waiting like Jimbo Fisher was at Florida St. If Muschamp was still there, you have to think Brown would be out by now, but when Muschamp left and they didn't find another head coach in waiting, they lost a lot of leverage in making Brown leave. If he didn't want to leave, they could basically say alright, if you're going to stay, then you have give up most or all of your duties to Muschamp and the coaching staff. They could basically diminish him down to the next Joe Paterno. He roams the sidelines, shows up to practices, does all the interviews, helps in recruiting and is basically the face of the football program. But, he isn't involved in any of gameplaning or anything that wins them games,but still gets all the credit. Brown seems like a proud coach who wouldn't want any part of this. He doesn't have any NCAA records to reach and has no reason to stay if they told him this and he would probably feel the need to resign. When Muschamp left, I think it really screwed up their plan (and their defense) of replacing Brown and now their having a hard time of finding a way to replace him, but not look like total a**es in the process. I'm starting to wonder if some of these rumors of him resigning at the end of the week were coming from people at Texas trying to amp up the pressure to get him to resign. I also wonder if some of these Saban rumors were from people at Texas trying to amp up the fan pressure against him. What Texas fan would want Brown over Saban? I'm probably completely wrong, but these are just my thoughts on the whole situation.

Honestly, I'm very skeptical of corporate making a 20-30 million dollar investment in SFStl. I'm just trying to think of a cheap solution, but provides high thrills. I will point out that everybody thought SGGAm was only going to get RMC through a American Eagle conversion and nobody never guessed they were getting a woodie until the mayor of Gurniee opened her mouth. I'm not trying to make a argument for RMC, I'm just trying to think of a cheap-high thrill coaster and RMC seems to be only thing that fit the bill right now.

I know some people are absolutely opposed to a 4th wooden roller coaster, but considering the very tight space RMC fit Goliath into and the relatively cheap price (compared to steel coasters) that these RMC woodies cost. I seriously think that an RMC woodie has to be a real possibility if they're going to replace Ninja with another coaster. I think the one thing to watch would be if they build the kiddie coaster where the go-karts are (Keeps the coaster count the same) and then remove Ninja for about two seasons. Wooden roller coasters are a lot more complex at designing, with all the footers and bents. They're going to need to have the land completely cleared so they can get in and survey it, then it'll take a year to finalize the whole design process. This all complete speculation on my part, but if Ninja is removed at the end of the 2014 season and nothing is announced to replace it, I wouldn't be shocked if a RMC woodie is announced for the 2017 season. This time table is based off the one that happened with Iron Wolf being replaced by Goliath at SFGA

^ But their Voyage began, without delay.

^ Nope. Saban is the only coach to win a national championship at two different schools. You could count Jim Tressel too if you counted the ones he won at Youngstown State, but I don't think anybody counts championships won at the FCS level.

I forgot about the whole Miami thing. If he does go to Texas, he better figure out how to stop the high octane spread offense. He'll be seeing a lot more of it in the Big 12.

You're right, they don't get enough credit.

Apparently Nick Saban has had a contract extension sitting on his desk from Bama since last Friday and with the rumors of Texas coach Mack Brown resigning at the end of the week, Alabama officials are starting to get worried that he hasn't signed it. I don' think Saban is leaving Bama for Texas, but is merely using this as a bargaining tool to get what he wants from Bama. Either way, I think Texas wants to hire a big name guy. I think they would be better off going off with an up and coming coach. How about Saban's defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart? They've had major problems on defense and he would help, plus he has had a great view on how to build a great program. Texas can give him all the assets he needs to make it happen.

RMC is located in Idaho, so they're probably used to dealing with the cold weather. I say they envy their fellow co-workers who are supervising the Medusa re-mod at Six Flags Mexico right now.

^ We'll see. I expect Auburn to bring a lot of pressure against Jameis Winston and see how he reacts on the big stage.

^ I couldn't remember what year Holidog Funtown opened. I'm sure if I went through the family photos, I'd probably been able to find out. I just remember being excited about having something else to do at HW besides ride the Christmas rides and the few kiddie rides in the 4th of July section. Was Firecracker ever sold?