[Jonathan]

In the 2003 Internet Wooden Coaster Poll, Hurler at Carowinds was ranked 83rd (in comparision Hurler at Kings Dominion came in 91st) and Thunder Road was ranked 114th (in comparision Racer at Kings Island was 92nd and Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion was 93rd). Hurler was 67th in 2002, so I would assume the way it ran this year contributed to its dropping. Thunder Road was 106th last year, so it's a bit disappointing to see it drop considering how well it ran this year.

[Dukeis#1]

That is disappointing. I actually consider Thunder Road Backwards better than Hurler as well.

Did they count it as Two Coasters or one?

[CarowindsZone]

I say Thunder Road(forewards&backwards) beat the Hurler hands down.

[Cephas]

Thunder Road is a classic one-of-a-kind coaster and the Hurler is just one of several clones.

In my opinion, there is little or no comparism between the Hurler and Thunder Road.

[MarkD]

It is sad but alot that probably played into it is that Thunder Road hardly, if ever, actually races. Even on the web site it states Raceing coaster.
Thunder Road ran fantastic this year but the excitement radicaly increases when you can actually race.
But, I am afraid the glory days of these types of woodies are leaving us.

[Jonathan]

Uhhh... yeah.. except that Rebel Yell and Racer are both virtually the same thing as Thunder Road.

[Cephas]

These coasters may be simalar, but they are not exact clones, I would know, I've been on all three. I'm pretty sure that the turnaround is different on one of them. Don't quote me, I not positive.

[Jonathan]

You are correct, they aren't exact clones. I don't see how a coaster is bad though just because there's a copy of it somewhere else.

[Dukeis#1]

It is sad but alot that probably played into it is that Thunder Road hardly, if ever, actually races. Even on the web site it states Raceing coaster.
Thunder Road ran fantastic this year but the excitement radicaly increases when you can actually race.
But, I am afraid the glory days of these types of woodies are leaving us.

Hit the nail right on the head.

Thunder Road is much more exciting when your racing. You get to watch the other train go over the course, and have some friendly competition. (Although I have been known to trash talk the other train up the lift...)

I find that the ride ops normally race the trains on weekdays when the park is not crowded, or when there's only one train running on each track. I guess they get bored and it kind of creates some action. Last June, they really got into it and where pepping up the line about which train would get back to the station first. It improved the ride alott.

[LocoDriver]

Thunder Road is a classic one-of-a-kind coaster and the Hurler is just one of several clones.

In my opinion, there is little or no comparism between the Hurler and Thunder Road.

Several Clones. What other than the one at PKD?

[Cephas]

Ok, maybe only one, I saw the one at PKD, and I thought there were more.

I was there when they were racing at TR last summer, it was never fair though, because the ride ops don't push the button to release the train at the same time.

Is it just me, or does the forwards train go through the corse faster than backwards?

[Dukeis#1]

I Think it depends on the weight of the train. Although I'm sure grease and trackwork effect the speed of the train as well.

[CarowindsZone]

The forewards lift is faster for some reason.

[Jonathan]

No, the lifts are the same speed. The fowards train does indeed move a bit faster since the backwards train isn't exactly the most aerodynamic with those huge seat backs cutting through the wind.

[Trev32]

i've NEVER seen thunder road racing