I remember being shocked by the announcement. Six Flags St. Louis is going to add a another new rollercoaster? Evel Knievel now known as American Thunder gave hope for St. Louis Coaster fans who thought their park was being neglected. With the addition of Pandemonium (formerly known as Tony Hawk’s Big Spin) the year before it seemed unlikely that another coaster would be in the works. Against all odds, it became very apparent that a new big coaster was on it's way to St. Louis. After seeing the predicted layouts on various forums, I knew that this was going to be a big deal for my home park, and it was. Great Coasters International (GCI) was really starting to make a big splash in the US at the time. This coaster was no exception. The constant speed, head choppers, sharp turns and ejector air makes this coaster a crowd favorite.
American Thunder is not to far from the entrance of the park located near the classic log flume ride. The tan wooden structure is such an eye catcher because of how open and compact the coaster is. You can see how the track twists and dives around and through the station and lift structure without the obstruction of trees. It is masterful how GCI was able to put this layout together like Tetris blocks trying to fill every inch of the baby footprint that was provided. Just like the track, the queue weaves through the wood supports neatly. The station looks like an open wood shed which sits in the middle of all the action. The GCI Millennium Flyer trains are very comfortable and have lap bars that you hardly notice. The red, white and blue trains portrait a patriotic theme. American Thunder is a gorgeous sassy coaster that draws me back every trip I make to Six Flags St. Louis.
This coaster has a special place in my heart for one big reason. I was still scared to death of anything that gave your stomach the butterflies the day it opened. But for some reason I felt like I had to try this new coaster just once. So I hoped on and for the first time in my life, I enjoyed a rollercoaster. At this moment I instantly fell in love with this coaster. Even to this day, I enjoy every turn and hill on this compact daredevil.
Element by element:
Lift Hill: Even though American Thunder doesn’t break 100 feet, you still get great views of the park as you motor your way up the ramp.
First Drop: The first trick this ride performs is a banked drop that gives you an instant pull of negative and lateral g’s. Especially in the back seat you feel like you are being dragged by your waist down the banked hill.
First Helix: Climbing the first hill you get some wonderful ejector air in the front seat before the helix. This helix gives you some nice lateral g’s that will make you very friendly with your riding buddy.
Second Hill/Double Down: The second hill gives you some brief floater hill before you dive a second time under the station with a scary head-chopper element. Even after years of riding, I catch my hand coming down. The second dive has in my opinion the strongest floater air on the ride.
Multiple banked Turn Section: After catapulting under the station, you make a sharp turn which gives you a high speed sensation. Next you climb up a turn around and back down which gives you a pop of air. Then you take off another ramp and turn left. The coaster continues to race through it’s curves which fling you left and right at a moment's notice.
Speed Bumps Section: Next the ride charges through a section that seems to mimic the moguls part of a motocross race. Several short bumps at a constant speed which delivers several mini ejector air moments.
Camel Hump Helix: The mogul feeling continues through the helix as you experience those same small bumps while being whipped around 180 degrees.
Finale: The final stunt American Thunder completes is small ramp that land you safely on the brake run.
American Thunder is a wonderful addition to Six Flags St. Louis. Even though this coaster is relentless with its never-ending speeds, whipping turns and surprising hills, people of all ages can enjoy this smooth wooden rollercoaster. This might not be the craziest dare devil a coaster enthusiast will encounter, but you will still find yourself bracing as this coaster executes each death defying element.
Overall: 8/10 - Wonderful Coaster/Nothing too extreme.
Excitement/Intensity: 7/10 - Consistent speed and sudden transitions.
Enjoyment/Fun: 9.5/10 - Very fun coaster/interacts well with structure.
Speed: 8/10 - This coaster doesn’t hit the brakes until the end.
Layout/Elements: 9/10 - Nice variety of tricks that are ordered neatly in this tight course. Track interaction provides additional excitement.
Airtime: 7 - The airtime is not particularly strong, but there are more than enough small pops throughout the ride.
Duration: 8 - A very average length but won’t leave you feeling empty in the end.
Lateral Force: 9 - Laterals is what this coaster does best. Throwing you side to side from the drop to the brake run.
Positive G’s: 5 - You won’t notice the positive G’s much. The angles of the turns provide you with more lateral than positive G forces.
Smoothness: 8 - For a wooden coaster American Thunder seems very smooth, however it has gotten wrinkled with age.
Train Restraints/Comfort: 10 - Doesn’t get any better.
Appearance: 6.5/10 - Wooden Coasters are very photogenic and American Thunder gets the added bonus of a track stacking appearance.
Nicely themed entrance/plaza but nothing extravagant.
What are your thoughts on American Thunder? What do you like about GCI coasters?
