[tarheel1231]

The new website heading is great. Thank you.

[FamousAmos]

Now, the parking lot spaces between the white shed and the South Gate is still used on the busiest days, so I'd expect that to remain. But the spaces past the shed and all the way to Thunder Road's turnaround aren't really used anymore.

[Surf84]

Thunder Road only occupies a sliver of real estate. I simply can't understand why it's removal is required.

[KenB]

Thunder Road occupies a relatively thin area of real estate, but also a relatively long area that borders a lot of mostly unused space. That, and probably noise concerns, are what are probably what are leading to it's demise. A large waterpark expansion as well as an expanded County Fair or new themed area could be built in that space , especially if the Action Theater, White Water Falls, etc. are moved / removed. Sure they could go through or over T-Road to use the space but they apparently feel that's not a valid option for whatever is planned.

There are the "rumors" about maintenance issues and the like. CF has used this excuse, however valid, for the removal of the flume, Saturator, and the plantation house entrance. I'm not really buying it here. There's nothing about a wooden coaster, especially one with a straightforward layout as T-Road, that can't be fixed. Of course cost of the fix vs. the payoff is a valid consideration. When they want something fixed, they get it fixed - see the Skytower.

I'm really going to miss this coaster. It was my second overall after Goldrusher, and my first "big" coaster. As a teen I'd ride it every time I went to the park, along with White Lightnin' and Cyclone. When I "rediscovered" the park in 2001 after nearly a decade absence, I loved newer rides like Top Gun and Hurler (which ran far, far better back then) but still found Thunder Road to be what a coaster should be - fun. Many trips to the park prior to Intimidator opening consisted of rides on Top Gun, Hurler, Thunder Road, and the Flyers. I'd ride some of the other stuff for variety or just to get in my yearly credit, but those were the really fun, enjoyable rides that I couldn't get enough of. When Hurler declined, it was always good to have ol' reliable Thunder Road around for my woodie fix.

Some of the blow is lessened by having Intimidator and Fury now. T-Road used to be the only long coaster in the park, with most everything else feeling a bit too short even Top Gun. Now we have some really tall, really long coasters. Still, it'd be nice to have those - AND Thunder Road - AND Hurler running the way it did 10-12 years ago, as woodies just have a certain something that even the best steel coasters such as Fury lack.

[mark40511]

Someone earlier mentioned something about Donny and Marie Osmond riding TR........What's that about?

[Jarsh]

Like I said in an earlier post - I don't think Thunder Road's track is in the way as much as the station is in the way.

[bradbeane88]

If you look on the Carowinds website and go to coasters then Thunder Road, They said it will give its last ride, not last race, and states it's getting retired to make room for park expansion, for the 3 year $50 million investment. I am ok with what ever happens but I do believe that this coaster is on the chopping block. I don't see a RMC creation on TR. I do believe it will be replaced by a log flume, Water coaster, slides, and other misc. water elements. So I am excited to see what CF has in store for CW.

[Jetp]

Saw this on the Observer's page. I didn't grow up with TR but I would have loved to see the original cars as seen in Picture 3 here and now I see on the CC main page.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/l ... 74501.html

[KIJester]

Funny... my CC header page still shows Fury 325

Never mind, TR pic showed up just after I posted.

[uscbandfan]

Check out that guy with the monster camera. No way he'd be able to ride with that today. Love the seats too. No belts, just a lap bar and let's go. Just as it still should be.

[redrunner97]

Someone earlier mentioned something about Donny and Marie Osmond riding TR........What's that about?

I was saying that my mom's first roller coaster was Thunder Road (just like me and most of my family). She and her two sisters rode it with Donny and Marie Osmond on a day when they were performing a concert at the park.

Here's an article from the Burlington Times-News announcing their visit to the park in 1982:

[Littlegiles]

I hate to see it go, but honestly, it is for purely selfish reasons. I am not sentimental about it, I didn't grow up with it and it wasn't my first coaster. I can completely understand the love for the ride and what it stands for. Why am I upset about it leaving? Cause I could always get a ride on it and never had to stand in long lines. Simple as that. If you want the park to continue to provide the thrilling rides that a majority of the people that attend want, they are going to have to make some sacrifices.

It really is sad because TR is a great coaster and I really enjoy it. Grew up riding RY at KD and everytime I ride it, it brings back good memories.

I say we just need to continue to trust in the people that did us well this year and hope that what they bring us is something so amazing and spectacular that we will soon forget the pain and live in the moment.

[coaster129]

Why cant we lose NightHawk? It's a waste of space, don't cha think?

no, its not, its a good coaster with a bad loading station.

I just don't like the Flying Dutchman style...

[Tosu97]

I wanted to ride Thunder Road this morning but it was closed when I went by. Also noticed White Water Falls was closed... not that I ever want to ride it anyway.

[Rosko97]

The weird thing for me is that every time I've ever been to the park the lines for TR have been up the ramp to where the two lines split.... never have I ever had a short wait for that ride.