SANDUSKY - Cedar Point has once again set itself apart from the rest of the amusement park industry -- and named its new, one-of-kind coaster accordingly.

After nearly one year of speculation, the park revealed early this morning that Maverick -- a $21 million terrain-hugging coaster that whips passengers dangerously close to the ground -- is the mystery ride being build in the northwestern corner of the peninsula. The Western-themed roller coaster will open in May 2007.

Maverick -- which means independent in thought and action -- will carry riders along the 4,450-foot-long course by way of steam-era styled trains.

Linear synchronous motors will propel the train to the top of a 105-foot-tall first hill. From there, it's more than straight down.

Maverick will take riders down at a 95-degree angle at speeds up to 57 mph to within a few feet of the ground, deceiving the riders into thinking they are going to hit the rocks.

In comparison, former record-breaking roller coasters, Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster, have angles of 80 and 90 degrees.

"A lot of this coaster is going to be close to the ground," said park spokesman Bryan Edwards. "This will be a very themed coaster. There will be rock formations and valleys."

While Edwards acknowledges some people may have been expecting a 500-foot-tall coaster, some were expecting something as unique as the Maverick -- an original ride and design that no other park has, he said.

"This is a different ride experience," Edwards said. "We have been building taller and faster, and taller and faster doesn't always equal more fun, according to the guests," Edwards said. "We are going in a different direction. There are people who look at Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster and say, 'No Way.'"

What Maverick offers that is more special is that just when riders think it's over, it's not, Edwards said.

Throughout the two-minute, 30-second ride, passengers will also experience eight airtime-filled hills, three inversions and a second launch through a dark tunnel while reaching speeds of 70 mph.

"This will be the most heavily themed coaster we have ever done," Edwards said.

Being built on 5.5 acres between the Mean Streak roller coaster and Thunder Canyon water ride in Frontiertown, Maverick will be Cedar Point's 17th roller coaster -- more than any other place in the world, Edwards said. The addition of Maverick will also bring Cedar Point's arsenal of rides to 69.

"As a coaster enthusiast, I can't wait to ride Maverick," said Carole Sanderson, president of American Coaster Enthusiasts, in a Cedar Point press release issued at midnight. "I believe Maverick will delight riders with many surprising elements, including its compact layout and staggered launches."
 

Cedar Point will introduce Maverick, a terrain-hugging coaster that will open in May 2007. The $21 million coaster was designed by IntaRide LLC of Glen Burnie, Md., the same company that manufactured the Millennium Force (2000) and Top Thrill Dragster (2003) roller coasters. (Artwork provided by Cedar Point)

Located in Frontiertown, Maverick will feature a twisting course that winds between canyon walls, over water and through a dark tunnel. It will be Cedar Point’s 17th roller coaster, more coasters than any park in the world.

Cedar Point’s new roller coaster for next summer, Maverick, will be located on 5.5 acres of rugged terrain in Frontiertown. Maverick will be the first roller coaster built in Frontiertown since 1991.

Logo for Cedar Point's new Maverick roller coaster.