California's Great America Building Northern California's Tallest, Fastest Wooden Coaster

Santa Clara, CA — California's Great America is building the tallest, fastest wooden coaster in Northern California – Gold Striker. The new attraction slated to open in spring 2013 will meld together some of most exciting features of the best wooden roller coasters in the world.

California's Great America will open Gold Striker in the spring of 2013. This new wooden roller coaster from Great Coasters International will be the tallest, fastest wooden coaster in Northern California.

Already under construction, Gold Striker will incorporate high-speed twists, turns, drops, a station fly-by and the Old West into this exciting new roller coaster. The coaster will stand 108 feet at its highest point and begin with a 103-foot drop at a 50-degree angle. The track will span 3,197-feet and trains will speed to a top speed of 54 miles-per-hour during the two minute long ride.

"Gold Striker reflects our commitment to providing our guests with the best thrills and entertainment value in the region," California's Great America Vice-President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg said. "This ride was uniquely designed by melding together the highest performing and most exciting features of the very best wooden roller coasters in the world. Everyone who enjoys the thrills of riding a roller coaster will want to experience Gold Striker."

California's Great America chose the name to recognize the pioneering and adventurous spirit of the California gold-seekers who rushed the area in 1849. The ride will be located in the Celebration Plaza area and be the park's eighth roller coaster. Gold Striker will also wrap around the park's Star Tower observation attraction.

Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCI) of Sunbury, Pennsylvania has designed Gold Striker for the topography of California's Great America. The coaster will have two 24-passenger trains with six cars with two rows each, seating two abreast per row. The roller coaster will allow up to 850 riders per hour and riders must be a minimum of 48 inches tall to ride.

A virtual ride of Gold Striker has been created so riders can experience the fun that's coming next summer to California's Great America.

Gold Striker roller coaster at California's Great America

For more information, visit cagreatamerica.com.