Cedar Point To Debut World's Tallest, Fastest Coaster May 4

Sandusky, OH -- If you're searching for the ultimate thrill, look no more. Cedar Point, voted the "Best Amusement Park in the World," will wow the world when the historic amusement park/resort debuts Top Thrill Dragster - the tallest and fastest roller coaster on Earth - on its Opening Day of the 2003 season, Sunday, May 4.

Top Thrill Dragster, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world at an astounding 420 feet high and a blazing top speed of 120 mph!

With a skyscraping 420-foot-tall hill at a 90-degree incline, blazing speeds of 120 mph over 2,800 feet of track and a twisting drop of 400 feet at a dramatic 90-degree angle, Top Thrill Dragster is redefining thrill- riding the world over as the first coaster ever to break the 400-foot-high barrier. This incredible $25 million "strata-coaster" - termed for its towering height - is also Cedar Point's 16th roller coaster, which is more than any other place on the planet.

Riders begin their wild ride by launching out of a "starting line" position using a high-tech hydraulic acceleration system. They then rocket up the 420-foot-tall hill where the train rotates 90 degrees at the 230-foot height, crests the peak and then plummets down the 400-foot vertical drop where the train spirals 270 degrees in a free fall starting at the 330-foot level. After twisting for 115 feet, the train completes the coaster's drop, reaches speeds of 120 mph for the second time and crosses the finish line before returning to the station.

The grand opening of Top Thrill Dragster will feature The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band, making its fourth appearance at Cedar Point. Under the direction of Assistant Director Jon Waters, the 200-member band will perform at the park's main gate plaza (8:45 a.m.) and near the Iron Dragon (1 p.m.).

Roller coaster enthusiasts can rejoice in a new season of thrills with the park's incredible collection of 16 scream machines, including the No. 1-rated steel roller coaster in the world, Millennium Force; the venerable Magnum XL-200; and other fan favorites such as Raptor, Blue Streak, Mantis, Mean Streak, Gemini and the Jr. Gemini for thrill-seekers in training.

Cedar Point kicks off the 2003 season on Sunday, May 4 and begins daily operation on May 9 through Labor Day, September 1. The park is then open weekends in September and October, and Friday evenings from Sept. 19 - Oct. 24.

For more information on check out Cedar Point in the Roller Coaster Yellowpages.

Photo courtesy of Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort. All rights reserved.