Racer 75

Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
RE: Rebel Yell

I am not a fan of the name change. That said I am not going to get as worked up as some over this. I see no point or need to the change.org petition that is being circulated. If I ever take a park survey I was express my unhappiness with it but that is the extent to the fuss that I see it as worth raising.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser, pickles and 1 other person
RE: Rebel Yell

SLC Headache said:
That reminds me, fun fact, the Paramount-era website referenced the song in the description on the rides list.
Click to expand...

You're right! I used the Wayback Machine to track down the coaster's description in July 2008:


With a Rebel Yell, you'll cry MORE, MORE, MORE! On this wooden roller coaster, two trains travel on twin tracks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, luseendesi, wombat96 and 2 others
RE: Rebel Yell

Joe said:
The logo is giving me serious 50s vibes, and I suppose it would be fair to say that although the "75" was inspired by the year 1975, it doesn't have to directly refer to it.
racer-75-logo.png
Click to expand...

I dunno, that has a very groovy disco fever feel to it.  I remember the 70s...  (unfortunately)  This logo definitely says bell-bottoms and Abba more than Horn rimmed glasses and poodle skirts to me.

As for the name change. I don't like the new name. As Nicole says, it is far to generic, however I do agree that it NEEDED to change. "it has always been that way." or "go somewhere else." were the same kind of arguments used to excuse separate but equal. We are better than that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, luseendesi, Shane and 3 others
RE: Rebel Yell

Zimmy said:
As for the name change.  I don't like the new name.  As Nicole says, it is far to generic, however I do agree that it NEEDED to change.  "it has always been that way." or "go somewhere else." were the same kind of arguments used to excuse separate but equal.  We are better than that.
Click to expand...

This too is what bothers me. If they felt it needed to change (I find ride name changes awkward) then great. However I felt that the name is generic also. I find it a little...strange (?) that everything else got an apple orchard name to it and then there's still Windseeker and now Racer75.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor
Behind the Thrills recently published an opinion piece about the name change that I thought I'd share an excerpt from.

Behind the Thrills said:
[...]Name changes are okay if you’re just trying to save the hassle of someone forming a boycott, because your once proud name is now being linked to racists.

That’s the real reason behind the name change. Kings Dominion wants to avoid controversy that might cost them tourist dollars. I get that. But if that’s what you’re trying to do, then own it. Don’t blow smoke up our asses, and don’t claim to do it to honor a fan group. It’s insulting.

Let’s jump to Dollywood. They changed the name of Dixie Stampede to Dolly Parton’s Stampede. They’re trying to appeal to as many people as possible, and Dixie conjures bad feelings in a large part of the audience that they want to cater to. They changed the name because they didn’t want to be deemed insensitive. Whether you agree with the thinking or not, you have to admire Dollywood for owning it.

Kings Dominion isn’t owning it. Instead they are doing it as a tribute to ACE. If I know the members of American Coaster Enthusiasts, there are quite a few members who are pissed off at the changes. Sure, some will be honored…but that’s the exception. I could be wrong! But still, Kings Dominion really seems to be hiding from this issue.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter what you name the coaster, just admit to the reasons for renaming it. Is that so hard?
Click to expand...

I have to agree that the park should be owning this change. Overall, I don't think anyone is upset with Herschend and the Dollywood Company for changing the name of Dixie Stampede, and if you are, you're in the minority. Kings Dominion really should have owned the real reason for the name change.

I myself am very happy that the name has been changed. I never liked it and had a feeling it could become a hot button issue for Kings Dominion in the near future. But as Behind the Thrills put it, "don't hide behind an ACE tribute" for the founding of an organization that didn't even happen at your park.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, Mushroom and wombat96
To be fair to KD, Charlottesville happened pretty much next door. That kind of response could be terrible for the park. I think they are trying to walk a very difficult and politically-charged line. Their "owning it" could be interpreted as their coming down on one side or another, which they may not want to do.

Honestly, I don't think the Behind the Thrills staff are experts on politics, regardless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hokie305, phurst, Shane and 6 others
It's called P.R. guys. It's not really family-oriented for the younger crowd of 10-15 years olds or whoever who follow Kings Dominion online or check out their site to see "Hey everybody! Due to "Rebel Yell" being associated with racism and everything, we're changing the name after 43 years of keeping it due to the political climate right now! See you this year!"

They don't owe us the explanation of whatever happened. They could've chosen a better new name though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lord Robert
I would point out there is a difference between citing reasons behind the coaster's new name, and citing reasons for renaming the coaster in the first place. The park gave ACE and the coaster's opening year as reasons for choosing Racer 75 as the new name, but they gave no reason for why they saw the need to change Rebel Yell's name to begin with.

I'm not complaining or defending here- just stating my observations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nicole, wombat96, jeffh and 1 other person
I'm fine with changing it, but I really wish would have just named it 'Racer' without the '75' to match its sister ride in Ohio, fit better with the new 50's vibe, and don't give such a silly excuse (rACEr).
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeffh and Mushroom
Can we at least get some new paint to go along with the new name? Or at the very least any paint on the bare retracked first drop?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor and wombat96
Someone on KD Facebook asked if this means it's going to always race now. That would change the whole thing if we can take it as a promise! It is somewhat of a rare feature overall and worth pointing out in the name -- if they can deliver.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, warfelg, wombat96 and 2 others
Hokie305 said:
I'm fine with changing it, but I really wish would have just named it 'Racer' without the '75' to match its sister ride in Ohio, fit better with the new 50's vibe, and don't give such a silly excuse (rACEr).
Click to expand...
I'd be more inclined to agree if KD and KI didn't already share three other coasters (Woodstock Express, Flight of Fear, Backlot Stunt Coaster).

bill s said:
Someone on KD Facebook asked if this means it's going to always race now. That would change the whole thing if we can take it as a promise! It is somewhat of a rare feature overall and worth pointing out in the name -- if they can deliver.
Click to expand...
Does KI's Racer always run both sides?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad