[KenB]

Just got the email that the results are in for <a href='http://BestRollerCoasterpoll.com' target='_blank'>Mitch Hawker's 2005 Internet Steel Coaster Poll</a>.

Out of over 300 steel coasters world-wide, PC's Top Gun ranked #23. This is a drop from #20 last year, but that's most likely due to some new rides like Shiekra and Kingda Ka entering higher in the poll. Next up for PC was Saturator at #171, with BORG at #175.

TG finished right around Top Thrill Dragster, Kraken and Kumba. It finished ahead of such notables as Volcano, Alpengeist, Hulk, Medusa and Ice Dragon. It's the highest ranked steel coaster for Paramount, with Volcano behind at #40 and PGA's Top Gun at #47. Aside from Florida (which is sort of it's own little planet) - Top Gun is the 2nd-highest-rated coaster in the Southeast, behind Apollo's Chariot which was rated 14th.

SROS @ SFNE ranked #1 again, tied with Expedition GeForce. Right behind was the cough*vastly overrated*cough Millennium Force. Shiekra ranked #10, which made me hate that it wasn't quite open yet when I went to Florida in April of last year. Of course, most "gimmicky" types of rides rank well their first year or two, then fall off greatly. Note Superman @ SFOG which ranked #22 when it first opened, and is now down to #85. BORG (when it was Stealth) opened at #64, and is now at #175. Keep that in mind when wishing for a Rocket coaster or something similar - although I personally feel BORG and Superman should be ranked a good bit higher - but remember, I also like Vortex

I think that TG is very highly regarded by not just the local enthusiasts, but the coaster community at large, should be remembered the next time anyone wants to complain that "Carowinds never gets anything". It's a great ride that we're very lucky to have.

KenB

[Carowindsman]

Coool i was waiting for that. Makes me feel better that i am one who controls this ride

Some more notable mentions

Vortex -- #207
Carolina Goldrusher- #242
Carolina Cyclone----- #244

[coasterbruh]

WOW ken...you should get your own coaster news column after that up there lol lol. That was pretty interesting reading and its very good that Top Gun is still loved by many and for some people who I talk to that dont live in the area but come to the park, the main reason is top gun!

Now as far as sheikra, I dont think it fits in the ranks of the "gimmick" coaster, IMHO. I actually went down there during opening weekend and was like i'll give it a while to see if it wears off but when I went back in october I got the same feeling as my first ride. I guess because its not just a one trick pony and the entire ride doesnt let up until the end unlike S:UF which only has the pretzel loop as a highlight and BORG which only has....humm what is BORGs "special" feature...the whole coaster is! BORG should be higher but S:UF needs to stay!

[Cephas]

Wow, I just like totally missed this poll...

My thoughts:

-Is it just me, or may TG be OVERRATED?

-I think the cyclone deserves a much higher finish after the way it ran this year.

-The message that this poll should send to paramount-MORE B&Ms! None of paramount's crappy premier coasters placed anywhere near TG.

[swampfox43]

-Is it just me, or may TG be OVERRATED?

TG is a top quality ride so I don't feel that it is over-rated in the least. It carries all the great elements that made B&M who they are, along with great visuals (that turn over the parking lot always looks great). It also is 1 of only 2 B&M inverts with a Bat Wing element. It's easy to ride any coaster so much that it becomes "predictable" and not as exciting as it once was, which is why I don't always ride TG every time I go to the park. But since I only live 4 miles from the park, it makes it a little easier to do that.

[bgwfreak]

I've been on about a half dozen inverts and it's my #3 behind Alpengeist and Montu. So no, I don't think it's overrated.

I've been on Alpy, Montu, TG, Batman (GA), Fire/Ice DD, Raptor.

Also, these rankings are a bit off in some ways because consider the fact that everyone that votes has not been on the coaster that year.

Like Carolina Cyclone has improved a lot in my book, but most voters probably haven't been on it in several years so of course they are going to vote low for it.

[coasterbruh]

Lets see...out of montu, volcano, two face, fire/ice, mind eraser, batman (SFoG), Reptar, and saturator. I can say top gun is at the top of my list. As much as I hate to agree with swampie B) with the visuals, uniqueness and atmosphere (how many other large inverters are out there that you virtually walk under the whole coaster), cool paint scheme and several tunnels this coaster is a solid winner!

Now the arguement is if the employees who run top gun are overrated or not!

[Cephas]

I think that most enthusiasts would agree that Top Gun should not be beating out Raptor or Alpengeist [no clue how it happened in this poll...]

Another overrated invert: Montu. I can't see how such a trimmed ride came in 8th...

[RollerBee]

Top Gun is way better than Raptor, Raptor is a rougher ride.

[coasterdave]

Have you ever had a ride on Montu with the trims off? If you have then you would know why it came in 8th.

Before you even as the best time to get a no trim ride is when there is one train operation. So the best months for that to happend is mid to late january or feb when the crowds at BGT are low.

[Cephas]

Have you ever had a ride on Montu with the trims off? If you have then you would know why it came in 8th.

I got some trimless rides on Montu in 1997, but they were only breaks in my kumba marathons. B)

[dukefanswimmer89]

TG the fourth best invert?i can see it (ahead of it is pyrenees-7 [european bias voting lol], montu-8, and fire 19.... It's an extremely high-quality and fun ride that deserves a good ranking... is it better then Alpy, Talon, and Raptor?? having not ridden them, i can't say, but from what i've seen, watched, ridden, and heard, Top Gun has been underrated to date and is finally getting the attention it deserves..

now for our hyper to give us a Top Ten and Top Twenty Five coaster in the poll!

[RollerBee]

:rolleyes: Why does it have to be so big to get so high on some poll? Taxi Chase is just as fun as the other coasters when we can ride.

[bgwfreak]

I'm sorry but what have you been smoking?

Taxi Chase is as fun as Top Gun? :rolleyes:

[Jonathan]

I think you would be surprised to find that a majority of people who have ridden both Top Gun and Alpengeist would prefer Top Gun. Alpengeist is much bigger obviously, but is honestly rather tame.