Storm Chaser

Description

Storm Chaser is a steel roller coaster at Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. Designed by Alan Schilke and built by Rocky Mountain Construction at an estimated cost of $15 million, the ride opened to the public on April 30, 2016. It features three inversions utilizing Rocky Mountain Construction's patented iBox track technology, a 78-degree drop, and a maximum speed of 52 mph (84 km/h).Storm Chaser replaced Twisted Twins, a dueling roller coaster that opened in 1998 originally as Twisted Sisters. As a budgetary measure, some of the track and supports from Twisted Twins were reused during construction. Storm Chaser was the second new coaster, following T3, to open at Kentucky Kingdom since the park reopened to the public in 2014. It was nominated for "Best New Ride For 2016" – an Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award – and placed second behind Dollywood's Lightning Rod.HistoryIn September 1997, operation rights for Kentucky Kingdom were sold by Themeparks LLC to Premier Parks for $64 million. Weeks after the deal was finalized in November 1997, the new operators announced plans to build a $5-million dueling roller coaster, called Double Trouble, in time to open during the 1998 season. The name was later changed to Twisted Sisters prior to the ride's opening. Following the purchase of Six Flags by Premier Parks in June 1998, the park was rebranded as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.