American Thunder (roller coaster) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids American Thunder
The then-Evel Knievel Coaster in 2008
Six Flags St. Louis
Location	Six Flags St. Louis
Park section	1904 World's Fair
Coordinates	38°30′45″N 90°40′38″W / 38.51250°N 90.67722°W / 38.51250; -90.67722
Status	Operating
Opening date	June 20, 2008
Cost	US$7,000,000
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Great Coasters International
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	82 ft (25 m)
Drop	80 ft (24 m)
Length	2,713 ft (827 m)
Speed	48 mph (77 km/h)
Inversions	0
Capacity	850 riders per hour
Height restriction	48 in (122 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 12 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
American Thunder at RCDB

American Thunder is a wooden roller coaster located in the 1904 World's Fair section of Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. The coaster was originally named after and themed to the famous motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel. It was renamed American Thunder for the 2011 season. To help promote the opening of the then-Evel Knievel Roller Coaster, Knievel's son, Robbie Knievel, jumped a Honda CR-500 motorcycle over 25 Dodge Chargers on July 3, 2008.

As a result of the St. Louis Cardinals losing to the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 National League Division Series, Six Flags St. Louis lost a friendly wager with Six Flags Great America, resulting in the temporary name change of the roller coaster to Cubs Thunder.

Ride experience

This $7 million GCI wooden roller coaster, which is identical to the Thunderbird at PowerPark, features an 80-foot (24 m) drop with a top speed of 48 mph (77 km/h), going through a course of 2,700 feet (820 m) of track. This ride features 16 hills and multiple high banked turns at up to 67° angles. The layout crosses over and under itself seventeen times. This ride also features two 24-passenger Millennium Flyer trains for better cornering.

Awards