originally posted on 6/16/2023
Photo: Kyle Kruthoffer. View full-sized image.
On Friday, June 2, Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania) debuted its all-new hybrid roller coaster called Wildcat’s Revenge. The coaster is a conversion from Great Coasters International’s wood-tracked Wildcat to Rocky Mountain Construction’s (RMC) steel I-Box track. RMC is well-known for taking wood coasters and converting them into thrilling new attractions, and this creation is no exception. RMC took all the best elements from its previous designs and incorporated them beautifully into this new version of Wildcat.
It’s difficult to see from this point of view, but beneath Wildcat’s Revenge are the wooden bones of Wildcat – the first roller coaster designed and constructed by Great Coasters International.
Photo: Julie Rhodes. View full-sized image.
Hold on because it's wildcat time in 3..2..1. As soon as riders leave the station they realize this cat has its claws out! Riders are thrown from side to side as the train turns around to approach the lift truss where the signature clickity-clack of an RMC lift hill can be heard as it is ascended. A look up reveals a twisted piece of red steel above, and then it is realized that in a few moments, the train will be back in this spot. As the 140-foot lift hill is climbed, more of the twisted red track becomes visible below.
Day or night, Wildcat’s Revenge’s 140-foot tall lift hill strikes an imposing pose against the sky.
Photo: Jebidiah Linburg. View full-sized image.
Once at the top, the train plummets back toward the ground at 62 mph at an 82-degree angle. Before riders can catch their breath, they’re flipped upside-down into the world's largest under flip, and the hangtime is insanely awesome. Immediately right side up again and flying through an airtime hill that seems determined to launch riders from their seats, the train twists to the left and flies through a sideways airtime turnaround. Before riders realize what happened, they’re upside-down again in a zero-G stall that lasts longer than seems possible.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Seemingly impossible aerial maneuvers are a trademark of Rocky Mountain Construction’s creations, and Wildcat’s Revenge is no exception.
Photo: Kyle Kruthoffer. View full-sized image.
Banking to the right this time with a glimpse of riders waiting in line, the train rushes over another airtime hill before dipping down and zooming into the next inversion. The change in direction into a banked turn is disorienting, but Wildcat’s Revenge isn’t done yet. Upside down again and spiraling, it’s difficult to determine which way is up or which direction the train is traveling. Following another airtime bump and modest bank, the train arrives on the final brake run.
Hersheypark’s attention to detail is evident in the lead cars of each of Wildcat’s Revenge’s three trains.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Wildcat’s Revenge is a grand slam. Bravo to the teams at Hersheypark, RMC and Irvine Ondrey Engineering. Everyone needs to make the trip to Hersheypark to ride this nonstop, action-packed coaster!
— Jessica Knouse and Stacey Miller Singer
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