Theme Park Insider

The Racer

Roller coaster
Minimum height to ride: 48 inches

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Posted: February 20, 2010

This coaster opened in 1972 along with the park itself. It was designed by the famed coaster builder John Allen, and is often credited for launching the coaster wars that we are still experiencing today. The racing coaster presents both a smooth ride and a classic feel. Both sides travel forwards, although the Southern Racer featured backwards-facing trains between 1982 and 2007.

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Reader reviews of The Racer

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32 votes, so far

A bit rough, which seemed odd for a racer. - M. Ryan Traylor

The Racer is a fun ride but be carefull if the ride was repaired earlier that day wait a few hours before riding again. One good thing is you can just walk on to this ride blue or red car. The best seat on the ride is front seat you feel like you are winning and better than the other car. - Darrell Weaver

A very enjoyable and classic ride with a competitive piece added to it by the racing cars. I found that it doesnt always matter which train starts first, I have ridden and come from behind on both sides. It depends on how much the trains weigh. Classic ride that the family and coaster enthusiasts will enjoy. - Michael Hurley

While I realize that this ride deserves plenty of credit, I don't enjoy this ride as many people do. After many airtime filled rides on Blue Streak (Cedar Point) it's hard to enjoy the Racer as much. The Racer is short on airtime and thrills, and works more as a family coaster than something to satisfy enthusiast. Not the airtime coaster it could be. - Chris Gottschalk

This coaster is credited with saving the wooden roller coaster from certain doom back when it opened in 1972(it was NOT the first, by a long shot)and after riding it I can see why. This coaster dishes out more airtime than any other coaster in the park besides Diamondback, and is just good old classic fun. The Blue Side, however, does have a bit of roughness and less airtime than the Red. - Jon Williams

Decent Ride. Its the poorer cousin of the Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion - Will Chilcote

The first coaster(s) to be built in the park, the racers are classics that shouldn't be missed by any age group. Lines are never bad and the two cars generally race eachother with good timing. Better when one car was backwards. - Byron Smith

Blue or Red -- it doesn't matter. Both are good rides. Not much airtime, but more than the Beast (surprise!). An oldie but a woodie! - Larry Zimmerman

why do people say its gay its the first roller coaster there and i still ride it everytime i go there - Nathan Dapper

A Great classic roller coaster for all ages! - Mike Mills

While the Blue Racer is a tad rough at points, the Red Racer is amazingly smooth and offers an abundance of air-time. The lines for these two racing coasters is often short, allowing for easy re-rides. - Ty Mullins

Classic ride, although I wish they hadn't gotten rid of the backwards side. - Derek Potter

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