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The American Eagle with over 4600 feet of track on each side and has held the worlds record for fastest, tallest, longest and largest drop on a wooden racing coaster since it opened in May of 1981.



The American Eagle has a one hundred and twenty-seven foot tall lift hill with a twenty foot deep trench at the bottom of the first drop gives the ride a one hundred and forty-seven foot first drop.



Designed by Curtis Summers and built by Intamin and as the centerpiece of the County Fair section of the park the American Eagle is a classic out and back.



The out run on the American Eagle is fast and airtime filled.  At the far end of the ride looming over I-94 is a massive 560 degree helix that the American Eagle slows to a crawl at the top of.  What is fun is about a half the way down the first helix the ride goes from slow to intense with each foot of track adding more speed as the American Eagle spirals the way around downward.  Once you speed out of the helix (past the too close supports that caused the addition of the "wings" to the car that keeps riders from sticking their arms out) all hell breaks loose with pop after pop of wicked airtime as you race back towards the station.  What kills the American Eagle is the final helix as Six Flags completely stops the trains on the block brake under the lift hill killing all thrill before diving into one final helix.

I think the reason the American Eagle isn't regarded better is the ending and the fact that Six Flags Great America rarely races it anymore.  Dear Six Flags if you are going to have a "racing coaster" as an attraction how about you race it.  All it will take is a little communication and effort and it will give your guests a significantly more memorable experience.



Bond and I did have to use and abuse our Flash Pass on Goliath.



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Paul B. Drabek