Maxx Force is a launched steel roller coaster at the Six Flags Great America amusement park in Gurnee, Illinois, United States.[1] It opened on July 4, 2019, and was manufactured by S&S - Sansei Technologies. Maxx Force is themed on drag racing and is located in the Carousel Plaza area. The park marketed the ride as having the quickest acceleration in North America, traveling from 0 to 78 mph (126 km/h) in 1.8 seconds. The park also claimed the ride opened with the fastest inversion in the world at 60 mph (97 km/h).
History
Development
On May 4, 2018, The Pictorium, a 980-seat IMAX theater that opened in 1979 as the "world's largest cinema experience", was closed and demolished with little publicity, almost one year away from its 40th anniversary.[2] From August 2 through August 23, 2018, Six Flags Great America released four episodes of a teaser series titled "Road to Glory" on social media. In these episodes, a racer appropriately named "Maxx" races around the park as referees cheer him on. On August 30, 2018, Maxx Force was officially announced along with the rest of 2019 attraction announcements by Six Flags. Ride time is approximately 25 seconds.[3][4][5][6]
Construction and operation
Shortly after Maxx Force's announcement on August 30, 2018, construction began in Carousel Plaza, forcing the nearby Whizzer to temporarily close and have a section of its track removed in order to place footers for the ride.[7] In December 2018, track pieces had already arrived at the park.[8] Maxx Force then went vertical on January 15, 2019 shown at the American Coaster Enthusiast (ACE) event that took place January 19, 2019.[9] On May 13, 2019, the last piece of track was placed toward the end of the ride.[10]
On June 12, 2019, one month after the last piece of track was completed, the Maxx Force coaster train made its first complete circuit after a few weaker launches to test the air launch mechanics. A commercial filming day was held on June 30. Media Day was on July 2, 2019 followed by a passholder preview the following day. The ride officially opened to the general public on July 4, 2019.[11]
After the 2019 season, Six Flags worked in conjunction with a village-recommended sound engineer to review the noise level generated by Maxx Force. The launch system was so loud that it could be heard all throughout the park and surrounding areas of Gurnee. To reduce noise complaints, the company made modifications to the launch system, such as the addition of sound barriers.[12]
For the 2022 season, the park added a single rider line for the attraction.[13]
Ride experience
The heartline roll.
Seating
Maxx Force features Formula One themed trains where riders are seated in eight rows, each consisting of two riders, for a total of sixteen riders per train. Each seat is equipped with a lap bar and seatbelt, in addition to shin guards and a pneumatic ratcheting system to lock. The seats are constructed of fiberglass with a metal supporting frame, with a soft foam seat backing to protect the head and back during the rapid acceleration of the launch.[citation needed]
Layout
After leaving the station, the train pulls forward into the launch area. The catch wagon then attaches to the front of the train prior to launch. During the launch, the train accelerates from 0 to 78 mph (126 km/h) in 1.8 seconds, followed by a "dog tongue" double inversion at 175 feet (53 m) off the ground. The train slows as it reaches the top producing a moment of weightlessness as the train begins its descent. The dive is followed by a turn to the right and a heartline roll, in which riders enter at speeds up to 60 mph (97 km/h). Next, the train enters the Maxx Dive Loop, a single inversion above the station similar to a heartline roll up that turns and suspends riders 90 degrees to the right, before turning upside down in the other direction and diving toward the ground. A set of brakes are located halfway down the final inversion, slowing the train as it returns to the station. One cycle of the ride lasts approximately 23 seconds.
Theme
Maxx Force features a racing theme, with the train representing a Formula One car complete with styled wheels on the front. One train is red, and the other is black.[14] The ride's entrance reuses the old Pictorium entrance, painted red and grey with the ride's logo on it. The gift shop nearby originally named Carousel Plaza Gifts that sold Great America apparel was transformed into Victory Lane which now sells Maxx Force items and Great America apparel.[15]
Reception
The station and the "Maxx Dive Loop" inversion
Dan Moran of the Chicago Tribune positively commented on the ride, stating that "while elements are similar to Vertical Velocity and X Flight, Maxx Force succeeds in making its own mark" and Illinois representative Joyce Mason remarked that the ride is "amazing" with a feeling of "soaring like an eagle," and compared the attraction to the roller coaster American Eagle by saying "it's so much better [...] because it's so much smoother."[16] Marcus Leshock of WGN-TV described the roller coaster as "pure exhilaration."[17]
World records
According to Six Flags, Maxx Force held these records on opening:[18][19]
Fastest acceleration in North America (0 to 78 mph [126 km/h] in 2 secs)
Fastest inversion in the world (60 mph [97 km/h])
Tallest double inversion in the world (175 ft [53 m])
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