originally posted on 4/9/2021
Photo: Courtesy Kings Island. View full-sized image.
Michael Graham, engineer and principal at The Gravity Group, will be the first to admit that the pandemic has delayed certain projects. “A lot of our projects got pushed back as many companies’ had; we had stuff in the pipeline we were excited about,” he said.
Even with those delays, two of the company’s designs are wrapping up construction provided by Martin & Vleminckx in both Australia and China. [Stay tuned to ACE News for future info.]
However, the wooden coaster company has stayed busy even with the ever-changing global situation. Part of the company’s success is helping refurbish and improve existing coasters. Graham indicated that three to five such projects take place in the off-season.
As a presenter at No Coaster Con this past February, Graham spotlighted the significant work being done on the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark The Racer at Kings Island (Mason, Ohio). The outward run on both sides is being completely retracked. 2021 will be The Racer’s 50th season.
Photo: Courtesy Kings Island. View full-sized image.
The Gravity Group has developed its own innovative solution to coaster rehab. It has found great success on parts of The Voyage at Holiday World (Santa Claus, Indiana). The park’s original woodie, The Raven, has also received track work, with the lake turn receiving some reprofiling that Graham thinks will make it smoother and potentially offer more airtime going into the turn.
Kemah Boardwalk (Kemah, Texas) is a year-round operation. The park’s Boardwalk Bullet has undergone some parts being worked on in the last four winters. The multi-year refurbishment doesn’t keep the coaster closed for too long each winter.
Adventureland (Altoona, Iowa) has brought in the tracking and engineering team to redo a small section of track that proves problematic each year on Outlaw. The Gravity Group is confident that its work will serve as a long-term solution to the issue the park is facing.
While the United States might not be seeing any new wooden coasters (again) in 2021, it is encouraging to see the care being taken on several of enthusiasts’ favorites in this off-season.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
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