The Smiler at Alton Towers in the UK has the most inversions of any coaster.
Saturday sees National Roller Coaster day hit here in the U.S., giving thrill-seekers and amusement park enthusiasts a chance to celebrate their favorite coasters around the country.
We love a good coaster as much as the next person here at GWR, and have been documenting roller coaster records for decades. Here then -- whether you hate inversions, prefer wooden coasters to steel, or demand the fastest and steepest -- are eight of our favorite roller coasters records for the big day.
FASTEST ROLLER COASTER
The Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, UAE, can accelerate up to 240 km/h (149.1 mph) in just 4.9 seconds. It opened to the public on Nov. 4, 2010. Formula Rossa accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2 seconds, and races over a track length of 2.07 km (1.28 mi), impressing even an F1 star like Fernando Alonso above.
LARGEST ROLLER COASTER LOOP
When riding Full Throttle, the steel roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, riders experience the world's tallest loop at 38.75 m (127.13 ft). The total ride lasts 1 min 30 sec.
MOST TRACK INVERSIONS IN A ROLLER COASTER
The most track inversions in a roller coaster is 14 on The Smiler at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire, UK. Riders whirl through the 14 inversions at speeds of up to 85 km/h (52.82 mph), with the highest drop reaching 30 m (98.43 ft). In total, the ride lasts 165 seconds as riders travel along a 1.17 Km (3,839 ft) track.
TALLEST ROLLER COASTER MADE OF WOOD
Representing the old school, Colossos at Heide-Park Soltau in Lower Saxony, Germany, is the tallest operating wooden coaster at 60 m (196 ft 10 in) high.
OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING ROLLER COASTER
Speaking of oldies but goodies, The Scenic Railway at Luna Park in Melbourne opened to the public on Dec. 13, 1912, and has remained in operation ever since. This traditional wooden coaster was designed by the American La Marcus Adna Thompson, who is now regarded as the "father of the modern roller coaster."
LONGEST MARATHON ON A ROLLER COASTER
Richard Rodriguez (USA) rode the Pepsi Max Big One and Big Dipper roller coasters at Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, UK for 405 hr 40 min from July 27 to Aug. 13, 2007. A noted coaster fanatic, Rodriguez has held this very record on three separate occasions.
LONGEST ROLLER COASTER
This is for those who like getting some bang for their buck. The longest roller coaster of all is currently Steel Dragon 2000, which opened in Nagashima Spa Land amusement park in Nagashima, Kuwana, Mie, Japan, on Aug. 1, 2000. It spans a lengthy 2.48 km (1.54 mi).
MOST NAKED RIDERS ON A THEME PARK RIDE
Where else but Guinness World Records would you find a feat like this? The most naked people on a theme park ride is 102, set on the Green Scream rollercoaster at Adventure Island in Southend on Sea, Essex, UK, on Aug. 8, 2010. The particpants raised more than £22,000 ($36,700) for the "Bosom Pals" appeal, which is for the breast cancer unit at Southend University Hospital.
We advise checking with your local theme park before attempting that one on your own. Otherwise, have a great Roller Coaster Day!
And for the latest on all things world record, visit Guinness World Records on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and our brand-new Instagram. Plus check out Guinness World Records on YouTube to subscribe for the latest record-breaking videos!
