Arlington, TX

Six Flags Over Texas has announced plans to add a new Tony Hawk roller coaster for the 2008 season. The new coaster will replace the 25 year old “Wildcatter” free-fall ride, located near the Boomtown section of the Park. For all you old-timers (like me) that ride was formerly known as the “Texas Cliffhanger.” I won’t be too sorry to see it go. I got stuck on it once and it scared the hell out of me…but I digress.

If you’re not familiar with Tony Hawk, he is a professional skateboarder who gained popularity during the 1999 X-Games. He is credited with creating several aerial skateboard tricks and his popularity has led to video games, clothing lines, television and more.

The Tony Hawk ride is part of a multi-year marketing agreement between Six Flags and Hawk.  Two years ago, the agreement brought Hawk’s Boom Boom Huck Jam tour to Six Flags parks nationwide and made him namesake to thrill rides like the one planned in Arlington.

Six Flags St. Louis and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio already have Tony Hawk themed rides in their parks. The Arlington coaster, made by coaster manufacturer Gerstlauer of Germany, will be similar to the one at Fiesta Texas, with an elevation of 52.5 feet and a track length of 1,351 feet. Riders will sit face-to-face and spin while going up and down a series of hills and curves. The ride has a price tag of about $6.5 million.

Construction has not yet begun on the ride, though the park has been in talks with the city. Six Flags is expected to announce more plans for 2008 on Thursday.

Photo: Tony Hawk in action at CTIA at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on September 12, 2006.

Arlington, Arlington TX, Tony Hawk, Six Flags over Texas, Roller Coaster