Dollywood to open world's fastest wooden roller coaster in 2016

[IceWizard]

Hey now this sounds like something I'd like to give a whirl ... Anybody heard this yet?

Dollywood has announced a new $22 million ride that the theme park says will be the world's fastest wooden roller coaster.

The eastern Tennessee park says the
Lightning Rod, themed after a 1950s-era hot
rod, should be ready for visitors in March 2016.
The Lighting Rod will launch riders up 20 stories from a standstill to 45 mph and riders will get 20 seconds of airtime along the 3,800-foot track.

The park says the coaster will hit a top speed of 73 mph on a 165-foot drop.

The $22 million price tag marks the largest
single investment in the Dollywood Co.'s
history.

Entertainer Dolly Parton opened Dollywood
in 1986 in Pigeon Forge near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.


This just sounds awesome!!

[IceWizard]

Harley .. I am sorry to hear that... My neck bothers me something fierce, but nothing like what you're going through ...

I'll try my best to control myself ... Man now this is tough ...

[Linville]

Hey now this sounds like something I'd like to give a whirl ... Anybody heard this yet?

Dollywood has announced a new $22 million ride that the theme park says will be the world's fastest wooden roller coaster.

The eastern Tennessee park says the
Lightning Rod, themed after a 1950s-era hot
rod, should be ready for visitors in March 2016.
The Lighting Rod will launch riders up 20 stories from a standstill to 45 mph and riders will get 20 seconds of airtime along the 3,800-foot track.

The park says the coaster will hit a top speed of 73 mph on a 165-foot drop.

The $22 million price tag marks the largest
single investment in the Dollywood Co.'s
history.

Entertainer Dolly Parton opened Dollywood
in 1986 in Pigeon Forge near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.


This just sounds awesome!!

Well IceWizard, I remember some years back I road on the at the time said to be the oldest wooden roller coaster east of the Mississippi. In Memphis and Liberty Land park I believe it was called.

It scared me, I admit. 

…ha ha I was holding on to that bar across my lap with a death grip.

BTW IceWizard, I like all the news you post I am going to try and start adding some.

I really like that area of Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mts. Some great places to explore there.

[IceWizard]

Linville, you are an asset to this community ... We need more members like you to contribute... I always enjoy the post you make especially in the "humorous smiles" and the "picture" threads ... They are absolutly great!

And come on in to the "news room" ... We can never be over informed! ...