New Car Awarded For Riding Roller Coaster

Darien Center, NY -- Thomas Welsher of Webster, New York won a two-year lease for a new car after riding the Viper roller coaster at Six Flags Darien Lake for three days.

The Survive It To Drive It contest, sponsored by radio station WPXY-FM 97.9 began Friday morning with eight contestants. By the end of the first day only four were left.

Welsher won the lease for a new 2006 Suzuki Reno Monday morning at 5 am when his only opponent got off the ride. His opponent 19-year-old Teresa Adams of Brockport just gave up.

The contest required them to ride the Viper roller coaster while Six Flags was open. Each contestant was given a 20-minute break every three hours. When the park was closed contestants slept in the roller coaster train.

Welsher rode the Viper roller coaster 395 times.

The lease for the new car was valued at $6,400.

Contestants were selected on the based on the condition of their current car. Welsher was nominated because his fiance was too embarrassed to ride in his car.