The Intimidator: Oh Hell Yes
In case we haven’t made it abundantly clear by now, we can’t stand “redneck culture” – i.e. country music, NASCAR, mud, rust, trailers-as-homes, racism, inbreeding and illiteracy.
Seriously, people … other than Daisy Duke shorts and providing the inspiration for folksy John Grisham characters, what exactly are rednecks good for?
Having said that, for whatever reason we’ve always been huge fans of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. – a redneck icon. Earnhardt, who died tragically “at Daytona” (God, we feel hick just saying that) literally defined cool. Black car, pimp stache, hot wife and a level of skill and intensity that was matched only by his bad ass attitude.
Plus, his nickname … “The Intimidator.” Swoon.
Now, Earnhardt is being honored with … wait for it … a roller coaster.
In the immortal words of Sic Willie’s inner five-year-old (who is eerily similar to his outer thirty-five-year-old), “Yeeeeahhhhh, boyeeeee!!!”
It’s true. In fact, here’s the ride’s official website. Oh, and of course it’s being called “The Intimidator.” Duh.
Carowinds theme park – located on the border of North and South Carolina – is building the $23 million coaster, which will represent the largest capital investment in the history of the park.
With a length of 5,100 feet, a top height of 232 feet and a top speed of 75 miles per hour, “The Intimdator” will be the longest, tallest, fastest roller coaster in the southeast when it debuts in the Spring of 2010.
Heck, this baby’s two “baby humps” (178- and 151-feet, respectively) are bigger than the tallest coaster at the park.
Also, in a stroke of luck for South Carolina, “The Intimidator” is being built on the South Carolina side of the park, meaning the state and York County will derive additional economic benefit from the revenue it generates.
Pics: Intimidator Website
Comments
By ? on August 28th, 2009 at 11:26 am
$23 mill for a roller coaster? Guess it provided jobs, but damn…
By Jonny D on August 28th, 2009 at 11:27 am
…now you’re talking Fits! You want to check out a cool site, take a look at http://www.coasterbuzz.com
By Liberaltarian on August 28th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Does anyone else see the irony of naming a rollercoaster ride after a guy who died the way Dale died? What’s next, selling Mama Cass ham sandwiches at the concession stands?
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on August 28th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The point of view “video” of the ride is AWESOME. I got a little woozy just watching it. Wait, no I didn’t.
Coming up next at Carowinds: The Rainbow Warrior roller coaster honoring Jeff Gordon.
By Todd on August 28th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I suggest that there be future articles on expanding the discussion of the redneck culture. I have attended a couple of Richland County public school meetings and one of the “paradigm shifts we need to encourage” (I love bureaucrat language like that) is to make it acceptable to want to be educated rather than believing it is a geeky thing to do.
By PasserBy on August 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
There was no “stroke of luck” for SC. The powers that be from Carowinds recently went to the York County council and said they had something big in the works if they could just continue to get their special tax breaks a bit (probably years?) longer. And, to get that, they promised to build it on the SC side of the park.
Here’s a link: http://www.heraldonline.com/front/story/1543043.html
By CNSYD on August 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
NASCAR used to be worth a look about 40 years ago. The cars were real showroom cars modified for safety and other reasons. Auto factories sponsored most cars. The fans went to see Fords battle Chevys, etc. The redneck fans who were only there to drink and fight were kept in the infield. Now the whole deal is run by the France family who manipulate what occurs. The “car of tomorrow” is built from the ground up. They are all alike. The outside sheet metal may be bent to look like a Ford or a Chevy but under the skin they are all alike. A “Ford” may not even have a Ford engine. Whereas in the old days the emphasis was on the car, now days it is on the drivers. Its all about the money which is why tracks like Darlington suck hind tit.
By Nathan H on September 13th, 2009 at 12:55 am
$23,000,000 is pretty standard for large roller coasters. The coaster is being made by B&M, one of the upper echelon coaster designers, and you’ll pay high dollar to get one of their pristine creations.