Six Flags Great America
Gurnee, Illinois
August 3, 2002
Page Three




The seating arrangement on the Whizzer is one of the features that make it such a wonderful ride.  Parents can give kids a reassuring snuggle on their first ride and lovers can have some time close to each other.  Plus the seats are just plain comfortable.  I want one of these cars for myself if they ever get new trains.



Another trainload of of riders head out on the Whizzer.  It was originally named "Willard's Whizzer" after Marriott's CEO and was shortened to just the Whizzer after the park was sold.



The Whizzer was built and designed by Anton Schwarzkopf who was the premier steel coaster designer back in the 1960-1980's.  The Whizzer is the last "Speed Racer" style coaster of Anton's in the United States.  There were three others, another Whizzer at the other Great America in Santa Clara, California, The Zambezi Zinger at Worlds Of Fun Kansas City, Missouri which was moved down to South America and the first one the Big Bend which operated at Six Flags Over Texas.



The Whizzer does not have the traditional lift chain but instead it has a third rail that is electrified and the motors are on the cars.  The motors give the Whizzer a unique sound while going up the lift hill.



Here's Carrie and the top of Bond's head spiraling the way up to the top of the Whizzer's 70 foot tall lift hill.



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Paul B. Drabek