The following article I wrote while serving as an editor for the weekly newspaper, The Avenue News, in 2003. Appearing in the July 16 edition of the paper’s arts & entertainment section, The Relaxer, I interviewed three members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). They include former Public Relations Director Sean Flaharty, former Maryland ACE regional representative Dave Rager, and Chris Hills.
Note: The original 2003 files were a bit of a challenge to convert. While the page design showcased below mostly resembles how it was printed in 2003, there are some very subtle differences – mostly fonts. As for the article, I have included sub-headings throughout the article for ease of reading. Those were not part of the original piece.
Is dropping more than 300 feet at speeds close to or surpassing 100 miles-per-hour your idea of fun? If it isn’t, kindly remove yourself from the line and park your backside on the bench outside the loading platform. You’d just be in the way… in the way of the 8,500-plus members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE).
ACE members are hardcore roller coaster fans. Many drive hundreds of miles to ride the newest coasters premiering to the public. With over 1,580 coasters worldwide, just about every ACE member would relish the opportunity to sit, or even stand and lay down in some cases, on every single one those coasters. That is their passion — that is what ACE is about.
ACE's Early History
Founded in 1978, ACE has provided coaster-lovers with a family of peers who have similar tastes. According to ACE Public Relations Director Sean Flaharty, Richard Munch, Roy Brashers and Paul Greenwald came up with the concept for ACE at Kings Dominion in 1977. The three men had been riding a marathon on the Rebel Yell to promote the movie, “Rollercoaster.” It was then and there the concept of ACE was born. One year later at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, ACE became a reality.
In ACE’s 25-year existence, the organization has grown tremendously. And although it says “American” in the title, ACE members also come from outside the states. “We have members in 12 different countries outside the U.S. including: Canada, England, France and Denmark, just to name some,” Flaharty stated.
Perks & Benefits of Joining ACE
Members pay a $50 membership fee each year and are treated to numerous benefits. Those benefits include discounts on hotels, rental cars, and park admission costs. These come in handy when members travel to an event.
Some theme parks allow ACE members exclusive ride time. Exclusive ride time allows people the chance to ride an attraction while the park is not open to the public. That means no lines!
One such event, ACE’s annual Coaster Con, recently made its way through Virginia and Maryland. From June 15-21, ACE returned to its origins, stopping in Paramount’s Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens, and also added an extra day at Six Flags America. Members got the chance to ride more than 25 coasters, some of which were: Alpengeist, Anaconda, Big Bad Wolf, Grizzly, Joker’s Jinx, Loch Ness Monster, Superman, Volcano, and Rebel Yell — the ride ACE’s three founders rode for the marathon in 1977.
ACE In Print & On TV
As if riding coasters and the discounts wasn’t enough, ACE also puts out two publications, “ACE News” and “Rollercoaster!” Flaharty admitted, “I originally joined in 1992 for the publication aspect, but soon found out the many other sides that ACE has to offer.” Now in public relations Flaharty said, “We are very proud of our publications as they are top notch and are always a joy to read.”
Along the way, ACE has been featured on just about every major television and cable network. Pick up your remote and take a look on the Discovery Channel and there is a good chance you’ll come across a coaster show featuring ACE members. “We work a lot with Discovery Channel and other cable channels in doing coaster related shows that have become quite popular in the last few years,” Flaharty explained.
Maryland-Based Members
Member - Chris Hills
So what is it about rollercoasters that people find intriguing? Four-year ACE member Chris Hills, 34, of Perry Hall, Md. said, “Coasters are one of the safest drugs you can take. People scream, yell, throw their hands in the air, laugh, and show all kinds of emotions.”
Hills came across ACE while he was surfing the internet. While visiting the Cedar Point Amusement Park website he noticed the park gave discounts to members of coaster clubs. Hills then checked out ACE as well as the Mid-Atlantic Coaster Club. He is currently a member of both.
Hills said his favorite coasters are the wooden ones. He explained that he enjoys the “nostalgia, the clickty-klack, the sense of this ride could fall apart like toothpicks, the sense of fear and the airtime [the sensation of floating].”
As far as his favorite coasters go, Hills named the Raven at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind. and the Phoenix at Knoebel’s in Elysburg, Pa. Both are wooden.
Hills admitted to not being the “typical” ACE member. He doesn’t feel as hardcore about riding coasters as some of his fellow ACE members. His priorities are with family, work and life. This was evident when he stated his favorite coaster memory was taking his son, Zachary, on his first coaster. “I was trying to hold onto him and he wanted to put his hands in the air. He’s not afraid of anything.”
Maryland ACE Regional Rep - Dave Rager
Like Hills, Rager prefers wooden coasters. “The Thunderbolt at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh is an old-time favorite. It has good drops, airtime and extreme lateral forces. Shivering Timbers [Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Mich.] and Boulder Dash [Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn.] are two other favorite wood coasters with lots of airtime.”
Rager told The Relaxer that Maryland currently has 225 ACE members. And for those 225 members, Maryland has numerous coasters available within the state. Six Flags America is home to seven exciting roller coasters, both steel and wood — Batwing, Joker’s Jinx, Mind Eraser, Roar, Superman: Ride of Steel, Two Face: The Flip Side, and Wild One. Or while on the sandy beaches of Ocean City, the Tidal Wave at Trimper Rides, and King Cobra at Jolly Roger, will offer some joy for coaster fans.
For more information about the American Coaster Enthusiasts, check out their web site at: www.aceonline.org.
