Coney Island Cyclone - Legacy

Legacy

In 1977, Richard Rodriguez, (USA) set a marathon record of 104 hours. Richard was only age 19 when he broke the record. Today, he currently holds the record for the longest marathon on a roller coaster with 104 hours on the Pepsi Max Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England.

The Cyclone's 70th birthday was celebrated in 1997 with a tightrope walk by Tino Wallenda between the ride's two highest points; that year, a single ride cost four dollars. The track today is 2,650 feet (810 m) long (including six fan turns and nine drops) and a 85-foot (26 m) drop at its highest point; the first drop is at a 58.1 degree angle. Each of the three trains is made up of three eight-person cars, but only one train can run at a time. The ride's top speed is 60 miles per hour and it takes about one minute and fifty seconds. As of June 28, 2008, the current cost was eight dollars with a five dollar "reride" option. The "re-ride" option also gives riders the ability to choose their seats. In addition, a souvenir booth located near the exit sells photos of passengers taken at the first drop. In 2011 the adjacent Luna Park had taken over management of the Cyclone, and as of 2012 it currently costs $8 to ride and the "reride" policy has been eliminated. It is an ACE Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark; it has also been honored by baseball's Brooklyn Cyclones as the source for their team name.

In the movie The Sting II, with Jackie Gleason, a chase scene is used on the loading dock and ride of what appears to be the Cyclone. However, the scene was actually filmed on the Santa Cruz roller coaster, the Giant Dipper. Production had the trains and dock made over to appear identical to the Cyclone.

The Cyclone was used in the 1988 action movie Shakedown (film) where Richie Marks (played by Sam Elliott) fights with a hitman while riding it.