Racer to continue preservation project this fall

By: Mark Frazee | Content Manager

The Racer has been a Kennywood staple since 1927 – a whopping 96 years ago! Keeping three coasters that date to the 1920s running smoothly is no easy task, but our expert team of carpenters, maintenance technicians and electricians remains committed to providing you the smoothest, most enjoyable rides possible. Over the past few years, we've made significant investments in these areas. All three received a total repaint; the Thunderbolt received a new state-of-the-art control system, and all three continue to receive substantial track replacement work each offseason.

The Racer is one of only three operating Möbius loop racing coasters in the world – that is, a single-track racing coaster – and the last operating wooden Möbius loop coaster in North America. Both of the ride's lift hills are ready to be replaced and retracked by our in-house team. This totals over 1,000 feet of lumber!

It is important to us that the Racer is ready for Opening Day 2024, so our teams need to get started on the retracking project now. For this reason, the last day to ride the Racer in 2023 is this Saturday, September 16. Then, our carpenters are off to the races (pun intended) to give the Racer the offseason care such a historic, beloved ride deserves. They'll start with the left lift hill this year, followed by the right lift hill next year.

The Racer's ongoing preservation project comes as Kennywood received big honors at the 2023 Golden Ticket Awards presented by Amusement Today. For the second year in a row, the park took home the prestigious Renaissance Award, recognizing our 125th anniversary and two-year, park-wide transformation project whereby the best of the old continues to blend with the best of the new. The Racer's project, which comes on the heels of the Kangaroo's return in 2022 and the Turtle's ongoing preservation project for 2024, reaffirms our commitment to preserving the park's past while moving toward the future.

So, join us for your last Racer race of the season this Saturday, September 16! Tickets are only $39.99.