The Gauntlet (roller coaster)

The Gauntlet is an inverted roller coaster located at Magic Springs amusement park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) model was manufactured by Vekoma and opened at the park for the 2004 season.

The Gauntlet
The Gauntlet in 2004
Magic Springs
LocationMagic Springs
Coordinates38.194136°N 85.747009°W / 38.194136; -85.747009
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 10, 2004 (April 10, 2004)
Cost$7,000,000
General statistics
TypeSteel – Inverted
ManufacturerVekoma
ModelSLC (689m Standard)
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height109.0 ft (33.2 m)
Length2,260.0 ft (688.8 m)
Speed49.7 mph (80.0 km/h)
Inversions5
Duration1:36
Capacity1,040 riders per hour
Height restriction52–79 in (132–201 cm)
Trains2 trains with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train.
The Gauntlet at RCDB

History

The Gauntlet was originally manufactured for Jazzland, a park located in New Orleans, however the sale was never completed.[1] In late 2003, Themeparks LLC announced that they would purchase the roller coaster for their park Magic Springs. Themeparks LLC reopened Magic Springs in 2000, however attendance had not increased from the number of people that visited the park during its first season reopened.[2] The name for the roller coaster was chosen through a widespread radio event in late 2003. Becky Branch of Jacksonville, Florida won the contest, choosing to name the ride "The Gauntlet."[3]

The Gauntlet opened on April 10, 2004, and was well-received by guests.[4] The ride's opening helped increase the park's attendance, as 403,000 people visited Magic Springs in 2004, surpassing the park's previous attendance record.[5] In a 2015 survey conducted by The Weather Channel, The Gauntlet was voted as the most popular thrill ride in Arkansas.[6]

References
  1. "Magic Springs & Crystal Falls Water And Theme Park - 2016". negative-g.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  2. "Ed Hart talks about Magic Springs / Kentucky Kingdom". themeparkreview.com. nwa.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  3. "Thrill Rides". magicsprings.com. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  4. Harris, Jim (April 9, 2004). "Magic Springs steps it up". Arkansas Times. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  5. "Gauntlet - COASTER-net". coaster-net.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  6. "Arkansas's Most Popular Thrill Ride: The Gauntlet at Magic Springs". kark.com. May 7, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
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