Project 2025/305: Pantherian (Intimidator 305 Retheme)

[Jwanger93]

Pure speculation but like I said previously with all the rumors and all known Earnhardt lawsuits out there that teresa earnhardt has been involved with. This poor thunder striker re-theming along with this bandage project 305 branding, I honestly feel like Cedar fair went in to this relicensing agreement with a feeling of confidence that they would renew the deal. I don’t know anything but it feels like something changed and now they have to make a very last minute pivot.

 

[jwranson]

Pure speculation but like I said previously with all the rumors and all known Earnhardt lawsuits out there that teresa earnhardt has been involved with. This poor thunder striker re-theming along with this bandage project 305 branding, I honestly feel like Cedar fair went in to this relicensing agreement with a feeling of confidence that they would renew the deal. I don’t know anything but it feels like something changed and now they have to make a very last minute pivot.

Wouldn’t surprise me, She has been a the absolute worst thing to happen to the Earnhardt name since they got married.

 

[willrobs3]

Pure speculation but like I said previously with all the rumors and all known Earnhardt lawsuits out there that teresa earnhardt has been involved with. This poor thunder striker re-theming along with this bandage project 305 branding, I honestly feel like Cedar fair went in to this relicensing agreement with a feeling of confidence that they would renew the deal. I don’t know anything but it feels like something changed and now they have to make a very last minute pivot.

Teresa Earnhardt is absolutely the reason the deal was not renewed, most likely she was asking for much more money to renew the deal. For reference, she sued Dale's son, Kerry Earnhardt, for using the name Earnhardt Collection for his company and Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't have the rights to his own name until 2006, which is why is race team is called JR Motorsport.

Opinion - I would bet that the just lapsed agreement was only for the branding on the roller coaster itself and there was a separate agreement, or clause within the branding agreement, for merchandise and why we see hardly any Intimidator 305 gear.

 

[kmccarthy27]

Teresa Earnhardt is absolutely the reason the deal was not renewed, most likely she was asking for much more money to renew the deal. For reference, she sued Dale's son, Kerry Earnhardt, for using the name Earnhardt Collection for his company and Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't have the rights to his own name until 2006, which is why is race team is called JR Motorsport.

Opinion - I would bet that the just lapsed agreement was only for the branding on the roller coaster itself and there was a separate agreement, or clause within the branding agreement, for merchandise and why we see hardly any Intimidator 305 gear.

I could swear also that when he created DEI that he said he was creating it for JR and always alluded he would be taking over the company one day. And then he passed away and Teresa completely cuts him out it all, including the ability to use his name until that happened in 2006. I think he even sold off the racing division too, so the company exists just to live off Dale Sr.'s IP with little effort.

 

[Nicole]

This discussion seems to have veered away from Project 305 and ended up in a discussion of why some people seem to dislike or disapprove of Teresa Earnhardt. Unless there is any hard evidence about why/when/how/etc the decision was made to retheme I305, it all feels a bit gratuitous.

Please remember that we have a rule prohibiting "personal insults or attacks targeting any (real) person."

 

[Jwanger93]

I didn’t mean for the conversation to head in that direction, I was more focused on the suddenness of it, feels like if cedar fair had any idea it would fall through they most likely would have addressed a theming change in the off season or atleast began the process. Where this is more of an oh crap back up and punt vibe to it.

 

[Gavin]

Having worked for KD/Cedar Fair, they do everything last minute. Literally.

 

[Zachary]

Well, whoever or whatever is responsible, I think we owe them a significant amount of gratitude.

It's impossible to overstate how thrilled I am that I305 is getting a retheme. I don't care how we got here. It's just terrific news.

 

[horsesboy]

Teresa Earnhardt is absolutely the reason the deal was not renewed, most likely she was asking for much more money to renew the deal. For reference, she sued Dale's son, Kerry Earnhardt, for using the name Earnhardt Collection for his company and Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't have the rights to his own name until 2006, which is why is race team is called JR Motorsport.

Opinion - I would bet that the just lapsed agreement was only for the branding on the roller coaster itself and there was a separate agreement, or clause within the branding agreement, for merchandise and why we see hardly any Intimidator 305 gear.

I know this is significantly off track but I do feel the need to correct a few things. Most glaring JR did have the rights to his own name. The misconception here is that Teresa who ran the marketing side for Sr when he was alive had control through JR DEI contract through 2004. He himself has stared this was because he trusted SR's judgment in the matter and saw the success that Teresa running marketing for his dad had brought. In 2004 During contract negotiations he removed that from his contract and handed those duties over to his sister Kelly.

As for the ride rights the most credible sourcing I have heard but that I can NOT verify is that CF wanted to rename 305 next year anyhow but were hoping to keep the naming for Carowinds as it still plays well in that market. They were negotiating from mid 2023 till Early February. The right technically expired November 2023 but DEI offered an extension for 2 months why they tried to work out a deal. In the end DEI wanted more then the 50% cost that CF wanted for going from two rides to one and they just couldn't come to terms so the name and rights were removed. I honestly am not picking up any bad blood vibes just a difference in business pricing.

 

[Mushroom]

Also, I will reiterate my demand for Project 305 merch. If KD makes it, I will buy it.

This is all I want. Give me some Project 305 merch to put next to my Washington Football Team memorabilia!

 

[CoasterMac]

This is all I want. Give me some Project 305 merch to put next to my Washington Football Team memorabilia!

YES!!! Hopefully in this case, the new name won't be so disliked that people want the placeholder name to be brought back

 

[bill s]

If the "Intimidator" name had never been associated with an IP, I'd be pissed if the were changing it though. It was genius and yet maybe the weirdest IP ever.

 

[CarolinaDog]

I am incredibly excited to see what Project 305 looks like.

 

[Zachary]

I am incredibly excited to see what Project 305 looks like.

It's going to be my first stop when I get inside. Watch the KDFans Twitter!

 

[Crunchewy]

I have no twitter account, so if someone would post some comments or a pic here that would be rather nice of you.

 

[Nicole]

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[CarolinaDog]

Gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as Thunder Striker, but still...

 

[Nicole]

What matters to me are the leopard print and the X.

 

[guy305]

Don’t let Teresa see the concrete overhang, I can still make out the old letters

 

[madmax]

Is the spiel gone?