[aaronf1991]

I was looking at ACE's site and noticed that Fairly Odd Coaster was awarded the status of ACE Coaster Classic, but it was later rescinded. Why was this? I tried to notice why and the only thing I could think was the seat belts being individual (like 2 in each seat) instead of 1 belt across 2 people. Is this why it was rescinded?

[Jonathan]

* The coaster must use traditional lap bars that allow riders to experience so-called airtime, or negative G's (that sensation of floating above the seat!!). Individual, ratcheting lap bars do not meet this requirement.
* ACE Coaster Classics allow riders to slide from side-to-side. A coaster with any restraint or device that restricts this freedom is not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status.
* ACE Coaster Classics allow riders to view the upcoming drops and thrills. Coasters with headrests on every seat, or the majority of seats, restrict this view and are not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status.
* On ACE Coaster Classics, riders are free to choose where they sit. Some parks' operating procedures assign seating; these coasters are not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status.

Is there a seat divider now?

[aaronf1991]

No, it doesn't. It has a buzz bar (single position) lap bar, two seatbelts (one for each person), no headrests, and upholstered seats. You can also choose where you want to sit. I can't see why it was rescinded. I rode it like 10 times today with my 3 year old cousin cause he was obsessed with this ride, and I still couldn't figure out what about it didn't meet the requirements.

[MaximAgency]

It lost it's classic status cause there was major track changes to the ride. At the very end of the ride a bunny hill was taken away for a longer break run.

[Jonathan]

What would track changes have to do with it?

[MaximAgency]

That was the answer i got when i asked the same question to ACE years ago.

It should no longer be a classic if track is changed in any way.

[Jonathan]

That's kind of laughable. I would agree with that decision if history had any sort of determination on Classic status, but it does not, as the Triple Hurricane (2004) and Zach's Zoomer (1994) both have received Classic status.

[RollerBee]

OddCoaster lost it's Classic status well before the removal of the final drop. OddCoaster's status was taken away the season after the seatbelts were installed. It isn't like the park cares whether or not it has Classic status. Carowinds doesn't get anything out of it.

[MaximAgency]

It could be for a different reason. I was just stateing what i was told by ACE.

If it was because of the seatbelts it's very sad when ACE gives out an award and they don't even know why they took it away.

Not that i care anyway. I'm glad they took it away

[Jonathan]

It must be the seat belts because the other two coasters at Kings Dominion and Kings Island also had their status removed, and to my knowledge they did not have any reprofililing done.

[PreferParamount]

I always thought they rmoved a hill at the end but i was never sure. And I think its is because of the "individual" seatbelts because that could conflict with the requirement of "being able to move side to side."

[bgwfreak]

I thought it was strange that they removed the last hill 30 years later and said it was because the trains didn't have enough room to stop.

Um, they have for the past 30 years!

[RollerBee]

I was told back in 05 that water pooling under the drop is why they changed it.

[kruss9610]

I thought it was strange that they removed the last hill 30 years later and said it was because the trains didn't have enough room to stop.

Um, they have for the past 30 years!

But originally, it had skid brakes. It probably was also operated where the train in the station had to be out before the train on the track hit the brake shed. If not that, they may have allowed second train to come up directly behind the train in the station. (That was all way before my time, when I was there, only the Beast was skid brakes).

The newer philosophy is to keep a "closed brake" between trains, and use fin brakes. Trying to keep a closed brake between the trains shortened the stopping distance, making the stop too abrupt. Taking the bunny hill out allowed the stopping distance to be lengthened, and the stop to be smoother.

All 4 of the Paramount rides did it, Car was just the last.

[Chris]

Are there any before and after pictures out there?