EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Top Eliminator
Opened: August 1996
Location: X-Venture Zone
Manufactured By: International Armoring / NewEra Capital Corp.
Cost: $1.2 million
Max Speed: 0-75 mph in 2.8 sec
Track Length: 465 feet
Engines, Chevrolet V8, 350 in2, 300 hp
Fuel: Propane
Number Of Dragsters: 4
Ride Capacity: 4
Hourly Capacity: 60 riders per hour
Height Requirement: 50" minimum
history & info
Top Eliminator allows you to test your drag racing skills against up to three other people. After getting your tickets at the desk in Pit Row, you're given a quick driving lesson and you're ready to race. When you cross the finish line, a roller coaster braking system stops you and pulls you back into the station to get ready for the next two races.
Top Eliminator was built on what used to be part of the old race track. To cut down on the ride's initial 80-decibel noise level, mufflers were added and a long berm was placed along the north side of the track. It was planned to open in Spring of 1996 and may have been the first ride of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, glitches in the computer control system delayed the opening until the end of August. By that time, the first ride was built in Kentucky Kingdom and Lagoon's became the second to open. It was also the second ride at Lagoon not included in the price of an all day passport. The price was originally $15 for two runs and was lowered in 2002 to the current $12. The height restriction was originally set at a 54" minimum by Lagoon, exceeding the suggested 50" restriction by the manufacturer. This changed to 50" later on.
NewEra Capital Corporation's former president Gerry Gray was approached in 1992 about an idea to build the dragsters as an amusement ride. He helped fund the idea, but a year later it was still just a concept. He bought the rights to the ride and started looking for a manufacturer to produce the ride. A few years later, a NewEra sales manager from Salt Lake told Gray about International Amoring Corporation in Ogden. IAC was founded in 1993 and specializes in armor-plating vehicles for presidents, CEOs, etc. They were chosen to build the cars, tracks, starting lights and timing boards for the ride. NewEra changed its name to ThrillTime Entertainment in 1997 with Superstar Dragsters and Skycoaster, Inc. as a subsidiary. Today, ThrillTime Entertainment is known as Advanced Proteome Therapeutics and no longer operates Superstar Dragsters or Skycoaster, Inc.
prices
3 Runs - $12
photos
Photo: Mike Pitcher
The dragsters.
Photo: © Braden Miskin
The finish line. This track is located where the old Race Track used to be. The berm on the opposite side was built to help block the sound from nearby neighborhoods.
Photo: © Braden Miskin
Pit Row is a souvenir shop which also serves as a ticket booth for Top Eliminator & Double Thunder as well as a garage for the dragsters in winter. A driver's training room is in the back corner.
Photo: © Braden Miskin
SOURCES
Lagoon
Deseret News
International Armoring
InfoVenture
Website Visitors
Updated 17 Jan 2008
