News: Tony Hawk’s Big Spin whirls its way to Six Flags Over Texas

Posted at 7:56 PM EDT (2356 GMT)

Sep. 25th, 2007 -- Attention all thrill seekers, extreme sports enthusiasts and coaster aficionados -- Six Flags Over Texas, The Entertainment Capital of Texas, is proud to announce plans to welcome another addition to its already amazing roster of thrills – Tony Hawk’s Big Spin!

Tony Hawk’s Big Spin, making its debut on opening day of Six Flags Over Texas’ 47th season, will give riders the sensation of freestyle skateboarding as they sit facing one another in 4-person cars all decked out in skateboard motif!  Riders will grab some serious airtime as they twist and turn in 360° rotations while grinding through two helixes, wild mouse turns, a camelback and much more on the rails of this 1,351-ft. steel coaster.  Costing $6.5 million to build, Tony Hawk’s Big Spin is designed to deliver a unique experience for guests each time, because the weight distribution of passengers will determine how each car spins along the track.  

Offering a full extreme sports experience, Tony Hawk’s Big Spin promises to be a unique, eye-catching addition to the Six Flags Over Texas landscape with the look and feel of a giant red-and-black skate park.  The queue line has also been specially designed, so guests will learn about the history of skateboarding and watch highlights of action sports on monitors and story panels as they prepare to board the ride. In addition, riders will be able to put themselves into the action, capturing their thrilling experience on a Tony Hawk’s Big Spin DVD with the park’s new CD Ride technology.

Tony Hawk was a professional skater at 14 and the #1 ranked vert skater in the world for 12 straight years.  He has competed in 103 pro contests winning 73 of them while placing second in 19 earning him the best record in skateboarding history. He has won 16 X Games medals and is a four-time Kid’s Choice and three-time Fox Teen Choice award winner.   In addition, Tony Hawk is the creator and star of the hugely popular Boom Boom HuckJam tour that has been seen by standing room only crowds at Six Flags theme parks across the country.

“The choice to bring Tony Hawk’s Big Spin ride to Six Flags Over Texas was very easy. The ride has been quite popular at our sister parks and Tony Hawk is a skateboarding legend. It’s a winning formula!” said Steve Martindale, Six Flags Over Texas park president. “We look forward to guests of all ages enjoying this great coaster.”

Tony Hawk’s Big Spin stands at 53 ft., travels some 31 mph and will be located in the Boom Town section of the park.  Families with younger children will find the ride’s height requirement especially enticing, as Tony Hawks Big Spin is suitable for kids at least 42” tall if they are riding with an adult, while kids 47” may ride alone.

Also on tap for the 2008 season is the return of the most talked-about show in the park’s history, Cirque Dreams Coobrila! This Cirque Productions extravaganza, complete with extraordinary costumes, brilliant imagery and edge-of-your-seat performances, is back by popular demand beginning in June 2008.

Nearly a quarter of a million guests saw this bold, imaginative production during the 2007 season, with 98% surveyed saying they’d recommend it to family and friends and giving the show a nearly 10 out of 10 rating.

“The overwhelming positive response from our guests solidified our decision to bring Cirque Dreams Coobrila back for a second season,” said Steve Martindale. “For those who fell in love with the show the first time, they’ll have the opportunity to see it again, while for others it’ll be an all-new experience.”

Guests can enjoy all Six Flags Over Texas has to offer in 2008 by purchasing a Season Pass for $64.99. This is the lowest price of the year and it pays for itself in just two visits! Plus, guests who buy their ‘08 Season Pass now can enjoy Fright Fest AND Holiday in the Park for the remainder of the ‘07 season. Passes go on sale, at sixflags.com, starting September 28. For those in search of fun by land and water, the Combo Pass, good at both Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, is just $99.99, so guests can enjoy two great parks for one low price. All passes are available for purchase online at sixflags.com. The 2008 season at Six Flags Over Texas promises to be filled with plenty of thrilling family fun, entertainment and excitement! 

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