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Six Flags’ NEW Texas Giant coaster earns Golden Ticket "Best New Ride of 2011"

NEW Texas Giant at Six Flags

ARLINGTON, Texas, USA /PRNewswire/ — The NEW Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas, the “Thrill Capital of Texas,” was named Best New Ride of 2011 at the annual Golden Ticket Awards, held at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. The awards range from best theme park to a variety of accolades focused on superior products offered to guests, including rides and attractions.

“The opening of the NEW Texas Giant has been a true labor of love by our team and we are thrilled to receive the award for Best New Ride of 2011,” said Steve Martindale, Six Flags Over Texas park president. “Our theme park has built a reputation on being innovative and this new ride design definitely delivers in that category. This has been a real home run.”

In addition to winning this top award, the NEW Texas Giant debuted at number six on this year’s list of best steel coasters in the world. In the 14 years of the Golden Ticket Awards, this is the second highest debut of any steel tracked coaster and the highest debut of any coaster in five years.

“The original Texas Giant led the pack for many years and enjoyed a strong allegiance among coaster enthusiasts. Our goal was to merge that legacy with 21st century technology in the form of the Iron Horse steel track design,” added Martindale. “The result was a win-win. Everyone who rides the NEW Texas Giant loves what we’ve created – literally the smoothest wooden coaster anywhere in the world.”

The wooden and steel beast opened in April boasting the steepest drop of any wooden coaster in the world at 79 degree; three bank turns at more than 90 degree; and a state-of-the-art steel track that zips riders through an unforgettable, white knuckled 1-1/2 minutes of twists and turns from start to finish. The unique hybrid design of the coaster contains the classic features of a wooden roller coaster with the advanced scientific capabilities of a steel track fabrication.

The creation of the distinctive coaster was a cohesive collaboration between Rocky Mountain Construction, Gerstlauer, Centerline, and Six Flags Over Texas.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation operates 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin ([email protected]) is a leading journalist, content marketing specialist and connector in the international attractions industry. She reports on design and technical design, production and project management, industry trends and company culture. From 2005-2020 she ran communications and publications for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In 2013, she was honored with the TEA Service Award. She was development director of IMERSA and publicist for the Large Format Cinema Association, and has contributed to the publications of PLASA, IAAPA and the International Planetarium Society. Judith joined World’s Fair magazine in 1987, which introduced her to the attractions industry. She joined InPark in 2010. Judith earned a BFA from Pratt Institute. She has lived in Detroit, New York, Oakland, and now Saint Louis, where she is active in the local arts community.

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