Six Flags Great America will open Goliath—the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coaster in the world in 2014.
“Six Flags Great America is known for introducing record-breaking and first-of-its-kind roller coasters,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America park president. “Goliath will be unmatched – setting not only one, but three world records and featuring two inversions. All of the ride elements, including an 85 degree plunge down the tallest drop on a wooden roller coaster, make Goliath the most extreme wooden roller coaster in the world. We are thrilled to bring this record-smashing coaster to our guests for the 2014 season.”
Goliath riders will ascend a 165 foot lift hill before plunging down a record-setting 180 foot, 85 degree drop, crowning it the tallest and steepest drop on a wooden roller coaster in the world. Riders will gain record-breaking speeds of up to 72 miles-per-hour and blast into jaw-dropping maneuvers including three over-banked turns, a 180 degree zero G roll, an inverted drop and an inverted zero G stall.
Goliath will be Rocky Mountain Construction’s second “built from scratch” wooden coaster, following Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City.
Record Breaking Facts
- Fastest wooden roller coaster – 72 miles-per-hour
- Tallest drop on a wooden roller coaster – 180 feet
- Steepest drop on a roller coaster – 85 degrees
Watch a teaser video of the coaster in action below:
Goliath will make its home in the County Fair section of the park. Construction begins this fall and Goliath is scheduled to open spring of 2014.
Stay tuned to the park’s website for more information.
What are your initial thoughts about Goliath? Share them in the comments section below.
After 5 rides on Outlaw Run, Tuesday, this looks great. However, I still wonder if RMC coasters will retain their smoothness as they age, especially considering the extreme elements.
what about roller coaster that the lady fell out of in texa and you are going to make another one more dangerous are you joking where are your brains at
sam smith
The inverted zero G stall is what really scares me. Its basically an inverted camelback!
Silver Dollar City’s Outlaw Run has a zero-g stall, and zero-g barrel roll spins… that being an all-wood coaster.
SFGAM will have 4 wood coasters… and I’m assuming SFGAM will have a record of most wood coasters in one park. Goliath will debut next year. The other 3 being American Eagle (twin racing coaster), Viper (mirror-image clone of Coney Island Cyclone), and Little Dipper (kiddie/family coaster).
I’m guessing Rajin’ Cajun will close at the end of 2013, to be relocated to SFA in 2014. Guess SFGAM getting 242ft tall SkyScreamer may have to wait until 2015.
The only SFGAM wood coaster I picture getting RMC iron horse re-track (hybrid transformation) would be Viper. SFGAM will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016, and I could picture Viper getting the iron horse re-track in time for 2016 re-launch, and it being re-themed as “Iron Viper”. Not sure if Viper would have to close at the end of 2014, if the transformation process should take approx. 12-16 months to complete… that would be if Viper is to keep the mirror-image Cyclone layout. We likely won’t know anything until a year from now.
I disagree Eric, I noticed that rides that get RMC are never Cyclone recreations. I can’t see any rides at SFGAM getting RMC. I hope that on Goliath there are TIGHT lapbars, I don’t want to be the next to fall out on a coaster. Do you guys think that Ragin Cagun is being removed so that Goliath will have room, or is Six Flags trying to turn SFA into SFGAM, and SFGAM into an “Elite park?” SFGAM is my home park, I think i’m gonna wait a week or so before riding Goliath. I am also determined to ride the front seat of Raging Bull next summer, I always end up backing out on the front seat and going to the back.
I have to disagree with Eric because Goliath is only going To take one year to build But Viper supposably Getting a metal track but it will only take two years to build Yeah right I think it will only take one.