Goliath: Six Flags Giant Wooden Roller Coaster Breaks Records
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GURNEE, IL -- Goliath, the world's fastest wooden roller coaster, opened last month at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL. The roller coaster is 165-feet high, consists of approximately 300,000 board feet of laminated southern yellow pine and 70,000 bolts.

It took nearly 40,000 man-hours for the team at Hayden, ID-based Rocky Mountain Construction Group, which specializes in designing and building wood and steel roller coasters, to build.

According to Six Flags, Goliath breaks at least three world records for wooden roller coasters: largest drop at 180 feet, fastest speed of 72 mph, and a steep 85-degree angle of descent. Also, adding to the thrill of the ride are two upside down turns on two separate maneuvers.

"Goliath is innovation at its best and will forever change the skyline of Six Flags Great America," said Hank Salemi, park president.

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is one of the world's largest regional theme park companies with approximately $1.1 billion in revenue and 18 parks across North America and Mexico. Six Flags Great America Gurnee is located north of Chicago.

Rocky Mountain Construction Group, started in 2001, has built roller coasters and water parks all across North America and Mexico.

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