News Intimidator Rebranded as “Thunder Striker”
- Thread starter CoasterRattler🐍
- Start date
Looks like they are going from NASCAR to Hot Rod (guess they couldn't let Dollywood be the only park with a Hot Rod themed ride...
From the Carowinds website:
Thunder Striker was built in the back of Earl's Garage on Thunder Road. Master mechanics stripped down the old jalopy and scrounged up parts to create a souped-up engine that's optimized for pure speed.
Now Thunder Striker is the champion of the dirt road racers. The fastest, meanest hot rod in two states. Lucky visitors to Earl's might get to hop in the sleek, black-bodied roadster with signature lightning bolts painted on the hood. They'll surely get the ride of a lifetime—a high-fuel, high-thrill spin through the Carolinas.
https://www.carowinds.com/rides-experiences/thunder-striker
From the Carowinds website:
Thunder Striker was built in the back of Earl's Garage on Thunder Road. Master mechanics stripped down the old jalopy and scrounged up parts to create a souped-up engine that's optimized for pure speed.
Now Thunder Striker is the champion of the dirt road racers. The fastest, meanest hot rod in two states. Lucky visitors to Earl's might get to hop in the sleek, black-bodied roadster with signature lightning bolts painted on the hood. They'll surely get the ride of a lifetime—a high-fuel, high-thrill spin through the Carolinas.
https://www.carowinds.com/rides-experiences/thunder-striker
Kind of an awkward name since "Copperhead Strike" is already in the park. I see several comments asking why they didn't just bring back the "Thunder Road" or "White Lightning" names - both of which would be better than "Thunder Striker".
paintervision
Coasters: 653 🎢
The whole midway is being renamed to Thunder Road, which is a nice touch I guess?
HAs there been any indication why they are moving away from the Dale branding? Do they have to pay for that IP?
2024 is 15 years after Caro and KD started using the Dale Earnhardt IP (both Intimidator coasters were announced in 2009). It wouldn’t surprise me if CF had a 15 year licensing agreement and decided not to renew.
It will be interesting to see what they do with the queue line. Are they going to make it look like Earl's garage and bring in some theming elements, or are they going to keep all of the checkered flags and just get a new entrance sign... Hopefully they will keep up with the trend over the last few years and actually have a cohesive theme for the ride and queue.
With all the words in the English language, it’s really lazy that they use the word STRIKE again for another roller coaster. They did the same thing at Kings Island with the new coaster called Soap Box Racers (that doesn’t even race). Additionally, thunder doesn’t strike it roars
It looks like Cedar fair has reverted back to its non-creative self. Remember names like flight deck?
On the good side, at least that area finally got a name and somewhat of a theme. It was very generic although it’s still going to be a mish mash of non themed rides.
Although I wish they would’ve held Thunder Road back for a new racing roller coaster. They missed a great marketing opportunity there.
It looks like Cedar fair has reverted back to its non-creative self. Remember names like flight deck?
On the good side, at least that area finally got a name and somewhat of a theme. It was very generic although it’s still going to be a mish mash of non themed rides.
Although I wish they would’ve held Thunder Road back for a new racing roller coaster. They missed a great marketing opportunity there.
Last edited by a moderator:
The name… ok, but the logo… down right awful omg, It gives flat ride vibes idk.
Jesus that's atrocious. Cheap, flat, oddly small sign and what may be one of the absolute worst zero cars I've ever seen.
Out here looking like a ‘97 Accord.
Yeah, woof. I really would like to know how much time they had to prepare for the de-licensing. I mean, it was clearly enough to make A sign, yet not enough make just a simple logo/lightning bolt decal for the zero car? Insane.
Really should have done a placeholder name and given themselves some time to at least somewhat build out the concept... I unfortunately expect 305's to look as similar & blank.
Really should have done a placeholder name and given themselves some time to at least somewhat build out the concept... I unfortunately expect 305's to look as similar & blank.
For what it maybe worth a Nascar related podcasts that is usually has good NASCAR info has said that the retheme came about after talks between Teresa/DEI and CF fell apart early THIS year and not part of a a pre-planned move. They also said that several organizations that have IP right deals with Teresa and DEI seem to be having a hard time coming to terms recently. Choosing not to link to it cause some of the language used and manner its used.
When she cut DEJr out of DEI because he wanted ownership the writing was on the wall. Heck in 2019 she made an entire minor league baseball team rebrand because she decided to not let them be called “Intimidators” anymore - and they were in Dales home town. Wouldn’t let Kerry use his own last name on a house model.
No he trade marked it when he was alive. No way especially after years of branding it to him as the Intimidator do you get away with that. Also you are talking about a Woman that only a few years ago took Kerry Earnhardt and his wife all the way to the Supreme Court in a fight over if he could use his legal last name on a business. So yes she would definitely fight such a move
Seriously they had enough time to at least order some decals for the zero car. I’m afraid this is a sign of things to come. The high-quality theming days seem to be over.